The International Code Council and Accessibility Standards Canada Collaborate to Increase Building Accessibility

A signed agreement between the two organizations will lay the foundation for more consistent accessibility in North America.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the International Code Council and Accessibility Standards Canada celebrated an agreement that will facilitate the sharing of best practices related to building accessibility. This collaboration aims to improve and coordinate accessibility requirements in building codes and standards between Canada and the United States.

The agreement between the Code Council and Accessibility Standards Canada officially took effect on February 21, 2022. The agreement will allow Accessibility Standards Canada to reference the Code Council’s ICC A117. 1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Building and Facilities and provide the Code Council with access to Accessibility Standards Canada’s model standard for the built environment.

“I am proud of our collaboration with the Code Council. I look forward to what we will achieve together to benefit our respective countries. Our hope is that the standards we create will become regulation in Canada. By collaborating with a proven standard organization, we are developing world-class standards and increasing the odds that they are adopted nationally, and internationally,” said Philip Rizcallah, CEO, Accessibility Standards Canada.

Accessibility Standards Canada plans to create new standards that better address the barriers faced by all Canadians by reviewing existing international standards, such as those developed by the Code Council.

“Building international relationships and connections is a high priority for the Code Council, and it is essential that the global building community continues to find innovative ways to work together to improve building safety and accessibility,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. “It is encouraging to see the passion that Accessibility Standards Canada has dedicated to creating an accessibility standard that will improve the lives of Canadians, and we look forward to the ideas and innovations our collaboration will add to the building community.”

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About the International Code Council  
The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

About Accessibility Standards Canada

Accessibility Standards Canada works with people with disabilities to create modern accessibility standards in priority areas, revise current accessibility standards, lead research and support society to reach the highest level of accessibility.