Accessibility standards

Accessibility standards are documented technical requirements used to make goods, services, information, websites, applications and procurement processes usable by people with disabilities. They give buyers and suppliers a common, written benchmark for what "accessible" means in a given deliverable.

In Canadian procurement, accessibility standards provide requirements for creating an equitable and accessible procurement process. They also guide how accessibility is built into procurement specifications, evaluation, testing and contract management, as set out in the Standards Council of Canada statement on CAN/ASC 4.1.

Standards that Canadian solicitations reference

Several named standards and instruments sit behind the term. Which one applies depends on what is being bought.

• CAN/ASC-EN 301 549:2024 covers accessibility requirements for information and communication technology products and services. Websites and digital applications covered by the Canadian accessible procurement standard must comply with it. See the CAN/ASC 4.1 accessible procurement document.
• CSA/ASC B651:23 covers accessible design of the built environment. It is the reference for deliverables involving physical spaces, as described in the context section of the accessible goods guidance.
• The Accessible Canada Act provides the framework for identifying, removing and preventing barriers in areas under federal jurisdiction.
• The Government of Canada Directive on the Management of Procurement contains clauses 4.2.7.1 and 4.2.7.1.1, which address accessibility requirements and the justification needed when they are left out.

Where accessibility requirements apply in the procurement cycle

Accessibility requirements run through every phase of procurement, from planning through contract closeout. They apply to competitive and non-competitive solicitations, contracts, standing offers and supply arrangements. The general requirements of CAN/ASC 4.1 state this scope directly.

Accessibility is incorporated into technical specifications, evaluation criteria, solicitation documents, contract documents and testing requirements. A requirement can therefore appear at several points in a single bid opportunity: in the statement of requirements, in the rated criteria and again in the resulting contract.

What federal departments and PSPC must do

Government of Canada client departments are responsible for including accessibility when they buy on behalf of the Government of Canada. Public Services and Procurement Canada explains these obligations on its page on improving accessibility in procurement. When buying goods or services, departments must:

• include accessibility criteria in specifications unless accessibility is not applicable;
• ensure deliverables incorporate accessibility features; and
• retain documentation showing that accessibility was considered.

If accessibility criteria are not included, or compliant goods or services cannot be obtained, the business owner or technical authority must document a clear justification. The introduction to the accessible goods guidance ties this to clauses 4.2.7.1 and 4.2.7.1.1 of the Directive on the Management of Procurement.

What it means for a supplier bidding on Canadian public contracts

Read the solicitation for the specific accessibility requirements and the standard each one cites. Where a bid covers software, websites or digital applications, expect CAN/ASC-EN 301 549:2024 to be the benchmark. Where it covers physical spaces, expect CSA/ASC B651:23.

Be ready to show that proposed goods, services, websites or applications meet the stated requirements. Where the solicitation or contract requires it, that includes user testing or accessibility conformance testing. Because accessibility can appear in specifications, evaluation criteria and contract terms, bid teams should address it in the technical response and plan to maintain compliance through delivery and closeout.