"Universal accessibility is the character of a product, process, service, information or environment which, with a view to fairness and an inclusive approach, allows anyone to carry out activities independently and to obtain equivalent results." - Groupe DÉFI Accessibilité (GDA) & Ex Aequo
Ex Aequo distinguishes accessibility from adaptation:
- Adaptation would consist of changes made in order to accommodate people in relation to “an environment, a communication, a program, or an already existing service ”.
- We adapt when we build a subway with only stairs, then add elevators several years later.
- We make it universally accessible when we provide access ramps to the buses.
The Universal Accessibility Collective presents 4 forms of universal accessibility. [1]
1. Accessibility in places
2. Accessibility in programs, services and jobs
3. Accessibility in communications
4. Accessibility in training
Accessibility in places
Choice of location
In a universally accessible place, a person in a wheelchair can move around in all the rooms and access a toilet .
- Doors must be 800mm minimum
- The dimensions of a toilet cubicle must be 1500 x 1500mm minimum
- Concerning the detailed criteria for infrastructures to be universally accessible, consult Kéroul's technical sheets
(parking, signage and displays, accessible entrance, reception desk, hall, outdoor event, etc.)
In a universally accessible place, there is a place to leave strollers .
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Access to the place
The entrance to the place must be a single storey or equipped with an access ramp and must be at least 800 mm wide . All paths that the person must take must be obstacle-free and must have a clear width of at least 920 mm . Check if the place is not under construction or renovation, which could make the space temporarily inaccessible.
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Offered services
Provide babysitting service . Offer an interpreter service . Provide a space with low sensory stimulation . In buses, provide space for children's pushchairs .
In case of food offered...
- Plan meals that do not need to be cut out and that respect the dietary restrictions of the participants.
- Display its ingredients and specificities in advance.
- If on sale, provide free or low-cost options.
- Provide people ready to help in the service if needed.
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Good practices
- Have support staff available when needed.
- Choose a place (departure and arrival) that is accessible by public transport including adapted transport that is close to toilets and shelter (from the sun or the rain). Having people waiting at these places allows people with reduced mobility to be accompanied while waiting for transport, for example.
- If necessary, hire a beneficiary attendant two weeks in advance to provide services to people who need their assistance.
- “If the event cannot be universally accessible, offer activists other ways to participate, such as actions that can be done remotely.” Planning an activity with several components promotes the involvement of people with reduced mobility.
- Example: I want to organize a demonstration in front of the Sheraton hotel, place of a gathering between members with power concerning the issue for which I am campaigning. I look at paratransit services (ex: SIRTA (STM), EXO (South Shore or North Shore of Montreal). I walk between the transport stop and the hotel (or the route to the event, if my action intends to be mobile) If there are hills, it will be necessary to provide people to help people in manual wheelchairs.
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