Accessible environments

Proportion of the population reporting having experienced barriers that limited access to different areas and activities in daily life in the past 12 months due to a long-term physical or mental health condition.

This indicator is measured in the Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD). Survey respondents are asked:

In the past 12 months, have you experienced barriers with any of the following features inside or outside public spaces because of your condition(s)?

1. Entrances of exits to buildings
2. Floorplans inside buildings
3. Lighting or sound levels inside buildings
4. Public washrooms
5. Wait lines
6. Self-serve technology
7. Announcements or alarms
8. Signs or directions
9. Pedestrian signals at intersections or crosswalks
10. Sidewalks when covered in ice or snow
11. Sidewalks in general

Would you say:

• Not applicable
• Never
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

In the past 12 months, have you experienced any barriers in terms of behaviours, misconceptions or assumptions made about you from any of the following because of your condition(s)?

1. Family or close friends
2. Staff of a business
3. Medical or health care professionals
4. Staff of government services or programs

Would you say:

• Not applicable
• Never
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

In the past 12 months, have you experienced barriers communicating in any of the following situations because of your condition(s)?

1. In person with family or close friends
2. In person with medical or health care professionals
3. In person with others such as the general public, customer service or government representatives
4. By voice over the phone with family or close friends
5. By voice over the phone with medical or health care professionals
6. By voice over the phone with others such as the general public, customer service or government representatives
7. With an automated phone message system
8. Using video conferencing
9. Using social media or online chat forums to interact with others

Would you say:

• Not applicable
• Never
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

In the past 12 months, have you experienced barriers using the Internet for any of the following activities because of your condition(s)?

1. Online banking or online shopping
2. Online booking for appointments, services or reservations
3. Online access to government information, services or supports

Would you say:

• Not applicable
• Never
• Sometimes
• Often
• Always

• Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD)
  • Table 13-10-0813-01 – Reasons for not using the Internet for persons with disabilities, aged 15 years and over, by sex

More data on this topic from the CSD will be released in winter 2023-2024

• What are the accessibility experiences of Canadians with disabilities, difficulties or long-term conditions? (Statistics Canada – Infographics, August 18, 2021)

• Accessibility Findings from the Canadian Survey on Disability, 2017 (Canadian Survey on Disability Reports, October 27, 2021)
• The accessibility experiences of Canadians with disabilities, 2017 (The Daily, October 27, 2021)
• Accessibility in Federal Sector Organizations in Canada, 2021 (Canadian Survey on Disability Reports, August 18, 2021)