Accessibility Standards Canada
Accessibility Standards Canada is a federal government organization that develops accessibility standards for federally regulated entities across seven priority areas, supporting Canada's goal of becoming barrier-free by 2040. It distributes standards free of charge and partners with provincial governments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersGatineau, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Accessibility Standards Canada does
Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) is a Canadian federal government organization established in 2019 under the Accessible Canada Act, headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec, with approximately 57 employees. The organization's statutory mandate is to contribute to a barrier-free Canada by January 1, 2040, by developing accessibility standards for federally regulated entities across seven priority areas: Employment, Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Communication Other than ICT, Procurement, Programs and Services, and Transportation. It is led by CEO Dino Zuppa and Chairperson Paul Walsh, and was recognized on the Forbes Accessibility 200 list in 2026.
The organization operates a free, voluntary standards model: ASC-developed accessibility standards are publicly available at no cost and become mandatory only when incorporated into federal regulations by sector regulators. The standards are accredited through the Standards Council of Canada and developed in collaboration with national and provincial partners including the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), and various provincial governments. ASC also operates a research grants program to fund accessibility research aligned with its mandate.
ASC's business model is government-funded through federal appropriations, with no commercial monetization of its intellectual property. Standards are distributed free of charge, and the organization has no external investors. Recent product outputs include the Accessible-Ready Modular Housing Technical Guide (2025), the ASC-5.2.1 Accessible Service Delivery standard (June 2026), and the draft CAN-ASC-41 Accessible Procurement standard co-branded with the CSA (2026). ASC pursues a 'barrier-free Canada by 2040' Roadmap framing, with a board majority composed of persons with disabilities and approximately 25% of its workforce self-identifying as persons with disabilities.
Accessibility Standards Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Accessibility Standards Canada
- Legal name
- Accessibility Standards Canada
- Website
- https://accessible.canada.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Accessibility Standards Canada is a federal government organization that develops accessibility standards for federally regulated entities across seven priority areas, supporting Canada's goal of becoming barrier-free by 2040. It distributes standards free of charge and partners with provincial governments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Accessibility Standards Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessibility Standards Development
- NAICS
- Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (922)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Accessibility & Web/App Compliance (WCAG) (EDALAGAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Physical & Built Environment Accessibility (Classrooms, Housing, Events) (EDALAGAF), Accessibility, Building Compliance & ADA Facilities Operations (EDALALAO), Public Broadcasting Accessibility & Public Service Compliance (Captioning, EAS, ADA) (MPABADAO), Accessibility & Special-Needs Customer Support (BPAAABAM)
Keywords
Where Accessibility Standards Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gatineau
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Accessibility Standards Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: As a federal government department, Accessibility Standards Canada is funded through government appropriations. Standards are provided free of charge to the public in both official languages and accessible formats.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free access to all published standards |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Accessibility Standards Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Accessibility Standards Canada is a Canadian federal government standards development organization that creates and publishes accessibility standards for federally regulated entities and federal organizations across seven priority areas: Employment, Built Environment, Information and Communication Technologies, Communication, Procurement, Design and Delivery of Programs and Services, and Transportation. The organization also funds accessibility research through grants and contributions, operates a Centre of Expertise that consolidates standards and research, and runs public consultations with disability communities. Standards are made available for free in both official languages and multiple accessible formats including plain language, American Sign Language, and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
Product overview
Accessibility Standards Canada is a Canadian government standards development organization mandated under the Accessible Canada Act to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040. The organization develops accessibility standards for federally regulated entities and federal organizations, operating through Technical Committees with majority disability representation. Its product portfolio includes published standards (such as ASC-5.2.1: Accessible Service Delivery), draft standards under development (CAN-ASC-41: Accessible Procurement), and the CAN-ASC-7.1.x Accessible Travel Journey standards series. The Centre of Expertise serves as the central knowledge repository for all standards and funded research, while the Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program provides grants to support barrier-identifying research. The Roadmap to 2040 provides the strategic framework organizing activities into standards development rounds and leadership positioning.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ASC-5.2.1: Accessible Service Delivery Standard
- CAN-ASC-41: Accessible Procurement Standard
- Accessible Travel Journey Standards (CAN-ASC-7.1.x series)
- Accessible-Ready Modular and Prefabricated Housing Technical Guide
- Centre of Expertise
Quantifiable outcome
- Goal: Canada without barriers by January 1, 2040
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Accessibility Standards Canada
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Accessibility Standards Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Accessibility Standards Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.
- New BrunswickmajorNew Brunswick has joined forces with Accessibility Standards Canada on accessibility standards development, representing collaboration between federal and provincial government on accessibility initiatives.
- Standards Council of CanadacoreASC is an accredited standards development organization through the Standards Council of Canada. This accreditation formally recognizes ASC's policies and processes for developing standards, aligning with best practices in Canada and internationally. Accreditation enables federal accessibility standards to become part of the National Standards of Canada.
- Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)coreCollaboration on transportation accessibility standards. ASC works with CTA to ensure approaches are aligned as much as possible, with ASC potentially providing support or co-leading standards aimed at removing transportation barriers.
- Canadian Radio-television Commission (CRTC)coreCollaboration on information and communication technologies accessibility standards. ASC works with CRTC to ensure aligned approaches, with ASC potentially providing support or co-leading ICT accessibility standards.
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA)majorPartnership to co-brand some standards and avoid duplication of efforts. ASC leverages CSA's standards development expertise while bringing its values and disability-centered approach to accessibility standards.
- Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)coreESDC is the Government of Canada's lead for regulatory, policy, program and engagement functions related to the Accessible Canada Act and broader accessibility initiatives. ASC works closely with ESDC to align standards development with regulatory plans.
- Provincial and Territorial GovernmentsmajorASC builds relationships with provinces and territories to promote harmonizing of federal, provincial, and territorial accessibility standards across Canada, fostering a unified approach to barrier removal.
- National Research Council CanadasupportingCollaboration on standards related to the built environment, working together on technical standards development in this priority area.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Accessibility Standards Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group): Canada's broader standards development organization. ASC has a formal partnership to co-brand standards with CSA, reflecting overlapping scope and complementary roles in the Canadian standards ecosystem.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Global standards body with technical committees covering accessibility. Comparable as the international counterpart whose accreditation standards ASC aligns with through the Standards Council of Canada.
- National Council on Disability (US): Independent U.S. federal agency advising on disability policy. Comparable as a national-level federal entity shaping accessibility policy and standards, though focused on policy advice rather than standards development.
- Accessible Canada (Government of Canada): The broader Government of Canada accessibility portal that coordinates accessibility policy across federal departments. Comparable as the parent regulatory and policy framework under which ASC operates.
Emerging players
- Rick Hansen Foundation: Canadian organization focused on accessibility and inclusion, including the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC). Comparable as a Canadian accessibility standards and certification body operating in the built environment.
Regional players
- European Disability Forum: European-level disability advocacy organization that informs EU accessibility standards and the European Accessibility Act. Comparable as a regional body advancing accessibility standards across multiple jurisdictions.
- AccessibleEU: EU resource center supporting the implementation of the European Accessibility Act. Comparable as a regional accessibility knowledge hub that complements standards development through implementation support.
- Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA): Ontario's provincial accessibility legislation with its own standards development track. Comparable as a sub-national accessibility framework that divides jurisdiction with ASC in Canada.
Direct peers
- U.S. Access Board: U.S. federal agency that develops and maintains accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transportation, communication, and ICT under U.S. federal law. Directly comparable as a national-level accessibility standards body operating under federal mandate.
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI): Develops widely adopted digital accessibility standards including WCAG. ASC develops ICT standards as one of its 7 priority areas, making WAI a direct peer in the digital accessibility standards domain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Accessibility Standards Canada social profiles
Digital presenceAccessibility Standards Canada compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Accessibility Standards Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Accessibility Standards Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Accessibility Standards Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Accessibility Standards Canada M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Accessibility Standards Canada
What does Accessibility Standards Canada do?
Accessibility Standards Canada is a Canadian federal government standards development organization that creates and publishes accessibility standards for federally regulated entities and federal organizations across seven priority areas: Employment, Built Environment, Information and Communication Technologies, Communication, Procurement, Design and Delivery of Programs and Services, and Transportation. The organization also funds accessibility research through grants and contributions, operates a Centre of Expertise that consolidates standards and research, and runs public consultations with disability communities. Standards are made available for free in both official languages and multiple accessible formats including plain language, American Sign Language, and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
Is Accessibility Standards Canada a public or private company?
Accessibility Standards Canada is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Accessibility Standards Canada founded?
Accessibility Standards Canada was founded in 2019. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Accessibility Standards Canada based?
Accessibility Standards Canada is headquartered in Gatineau, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Accessibility Standards Canada make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Accessibility Standards Canada's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), National Council on Disability (US) and Accessible Canada (Government of Canada). Rick Hansen Foundation is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are European Disability Forum, AccessibleEU and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Direct peers are U.S. Access Board and W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
Does Accessibility Standards Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Accessibility Standards Canada.
What industry is Accessibility Standards Canada in?
Accessibility Standards Canada's product category is Accessibility Standards Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAGAG, Digital Accessibility & Web/App Compliance (WCAG), with a secondary code of EDALAGAF, Physical & Built Environment Accessibility (Classrooms, Housing, Events). Its NAICS code is 922.