COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CANADIAN AND U.S. APPROACHES TO ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS

Prepared by: Robert C. Ashby

September 30, 2015

ABSTRACT:

This reports looks in detail, by mode, at the standards and codes of practice currently applied to transportation accessibility in Canada and the United States. In addition, it analyses the transport accessibility provisions of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. A detailed comparison of the Canadian and U.S. standards for accessibility across the transportation modes indicates a considerable amount of common ground in terms of aims and approaches, and a number of significant differences at the detail level. The author concludes that both the Canadian and U.S. approaches have strengths and weaknesses, and that Canada should (at both the federal and provincial levels) consider the implementation of a legal framework to improve the transportation accessibility regime in Canada.

Date modified: