MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Legislation/regulations

There are no federal direct legislative or regulatory obligations regarding accessibility of publicly procured goods and services, however indirect non-discrimination obligations have relevance.
In order to meet the ‘duty to accommodate’ in the Human Rights Act and the Employment Equality Act, as well as the Treasury Board’s ‘Duty to Accommodate’ policy, Industry Canada has developed an Accessible Procurement Toolkit. This is “a web-based application that delivers accessibility requirements and standards to apply to a purchase of mainstream products and services” to ensure that products meet “Universal Design” principles and help the procuring organisation meet its mandated obligation to purchase more accessible goods and services.

Ontario province has legislated more specifically on accessible procurement. Article 5 of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 states:

“In deciding to purchase goods or services through the procurement process for the use of itself, its employees or the public, the Government of Ontario shall have regard to the accessibility for persons with disabilities to the goods or services.”

Other initiatives

At a policy level, the Treasury Board Secretariat has published an Accessibility Domain Architecture which aims to bring about the usability of Government of Canada Information Management/Information Technology for individuals with disabilities. The Accessibility Domain Architecture provides a framework for developing shared management and information technology environments. It deals with Personal (Assistive) Technologies; Technology Environment; and Information and Services

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