Accessibility Standards Canada has published CAN/ASC-2.8:2025 – Accessible-Ready Housing, a new national standard designed to help future-proof homes by making them easily adaptable to meet evolving accessibility needs. Approved by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), this equity-driven standard ensures that homes are not only built to accommodate current residents but are also ready for life’s changes—such as aging in place or the onset of disabilities.

The standard introduces Design for Accessible-Ready (DAR) principles, allowing homeowners and developers to build spaces that can be quickly and affordably modified. Key design features include:

• Reinforced walls for future installation of grab bars or lifts
• Wider doorways and clear interior pathways to support mobility devices
• Easily reachable or adjustable controls like thermostats and light switches

By planning for accessibility from the outset, CAN/ASC-2.8 helps reduce future renovation costs and supports more inclusive, resilient communities. The standard covers a wide range of housing elements—from entrances and kitchens to bathrooms, stairs, parking, and emergency features.

One of the defining aspects of CAN/ASC-2.8 is that it was developed by a technical committee primarily composed of people with disabilities and members of equity-deserving groups. This inclusive, equity-based approach ensures the standard addresses real-world accessibility barriers and contributes to meaningful change for all Canadians.

The new standard aligns with the Government of Canada’s Housing Design Catalogue, helping ensure that new housing developments can meet accessibility needs without extensive redesign. It is freely available in both English and French, in HTML and Word formats, and includes plain language and sign language summaries—further supporting inclusive access.

“By designing homes that are ready to adapt, we’re building communities that can support all of us through life’s changes. Our standard was developed by people with disabilities, for people with disabilities, and aims to remove barriers while creating adaptable homes for everyone.”

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