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 paths of travel in housing.
Accessible Paths of Travel within Housing
Paths of travel within housing allow people to reach and enter important rooms in their homes, including:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Bedrooms
Therefore, the standards list technical requirements for the width of a path of travel inside a home.
Likewise, the standards reference technical requirements for elevators and platform lifts. People living in houses with more than one (1) floor may use these devices to reach upper or lower floors.
In contrast, some people may find stairs the most accessible way to move through their homes. For example, some people may find a shorter route with stairs less tiring than a longer route to and from the elevator. As a result, the standards list technical requirements for stairs. For example, each step in a flight should be the same height and depth. In addition, stair risers should be closed, not open. Stairs should also:
- Be slip-resistant
- Have handrails on both sides
Furthermore, the standards list technical requirements for doors, including doors inside houses and units. These requirements govern elements such as:
- Width
- Areas for people to move safely as the door opens
- Multiple doors close together
- Door closers
- Power-assisted doors
- Door handles
For example, lever door handles are more accessible for many people than doorknobs.