The AODA does not yet include standards governing the housing sector. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends new standards in various sectors, and suggests guidelines for future housing standards. In addition, the review recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country. For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for accessible housing. Future AODA housing standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make people’s homes more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal housing standards for accessible home controls.
Accessible Home Controls
Home controls are features that residents can operate, including:
- Door handles
- Locks
- Doorbells and intercoms
- Home security systems
- Window controls
- Light switches
- Electrical outlets
- Faucets on sinks, tubs, or showers
- Thermostats
- Appliances
The standards list requirements to make all home controls as accessible as possible. For example, the standards provide measurements for clear floor space near controls, so that people can reach them. People using assistive devices should be able to approach controls from the front or from either side. Likewise, the standards list height ranges for controls, which people should be able to operate while sitting or standing.
In addition, people should be able to operate controls with one hand, and with their fists closed. Similarly, people should not need to:
- Grasp tightly
- Pinch
- Twist their wrists
However, locks with keys, and other security features, are exceptions.
Moreover, the standards recommend electronic or automated controls that people can operate using their phones or other mobile devices. When people use their devices to operate controls, the devices provide important feedback in different ways, including:
- Visual
- Audio
- Tactile
For instance, someone could use their device to read the screen of their thermostat:
- In large print
- With text-to-speech software
- In Braille, through a Braille display paired with their device
Alternatively, controls can be designed to provide all these forms of feedback. For example, people can tell by touch which buttons they are pressing when the buttons are different:
- Shapes
- Sizes
- Textures
Similarly, an alarm can both flash, beep, and vibrate to verify a new setting.
Finally, the standards list requirements for adequate lighting, good colour contrast, and absence of glare on controls with screens.