Introduction

In a small town in Ontario, five-year-old Beau faces daily challenges that most families take for granted. After being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at just 17 months, Beau relies on his parents to carry him from room to room in their Beamsville home, where narrow doorways make it impossible for his wheelchair to pass through. His mother, Rachel O'Hagan, emphasizes the emotional toll and practical difficulties this creates for Beau as he grows older and heavier.

"He very much wouldn’t need our support ... He could freely move around," Rachel expressed, highlighting that accessibility could empower Beau to live more independently.

The Housing Crisis and Accessibility

As Canada grapples with an ongoing housing crisis, advocates are urgently calling for inclusive design in new homes. They argue that while current housing policies aim to increase supply, accessibility for those with disabilities is being overlooked. According to Jutta Treviranus, director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University, the situation for people with disabilities is desperate. "There's a housing crisis for everyone, but it's exponentially more intense for those who require accessible housing," she stated.

The current state of accessible housing in Canada has been labeled “deplorable” by advocates like Tracy Odell, a 66-year-old woman who shares a similar story to Beau’s. After aging out of a rehabilitation program, Tracy found her housing options dwindled, with nursing homes readily available, but accessible apartments being virtually non-existent.

Government Action and Proposals

Federal housing advocate Marie-Josee Houle has urged Ottawa to prioritize accessibility within its National Housing Strategy. In her report, she outlined the necessity for new government-funded housing units to meet certain accessibility criteria, including wider doorways and level entrances.

Stephanie Cadieux, the federal government's chief accessibility officer, acknowledged that Canada has lagged behind other countries when it comes to accessible housing solutions: "We're not building homes that work for everybody," she said. Current construction strategies often center around able-bodied individuals, leaving out a significant portion of the population.

Hope and Innovation

However, there is hope on the horizon. The Canadian government has set ambitious targets to construct 3.87 million new homes by 2031, and there is a significant opportunity to integrate accessibility into these plans. Research from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) shows that making homes accessible during the initial construction phase can be cost-effective; the added cost is often around 6 to 12 percent compared to standard building practices, while retrofitting can escalate costs by hundreds of percent.

Innovative developers like the Daniels Corp. in the Greater Toronto Area are leading the way by implementing an Accessibility Designed Program, creating homes that cater specifically to the needs of those using mobility devices without additional costs. So far, they have completed 38 accessible units and have plans for more, showcasing that it's possible to design homes for everyone from the outset.

A Call to Action

The message from advocates is clear: now is the time for Canada to take actionable steps towards building more accessible homes. With a significant portion of the population living with a disability—over a quarter—as well as an aging demographic, the demand for adaptable housing will only grow.

The federal government has received new insights from the housing crisis, with a renewed focus on universal design in its Housing Design Catalogue program, which aims to standardize housing designs that are inclusive for all Canadians.

Conclusion

"What if you could create homes where everyone, regardless of ability or age, could live comfortably? That’s the opportunity we have now," emphasizes Kate Chung, co-founder of the Accessible Housing Network.

In conclusion, while the housing crisis has highlighted urgent needs for all Canadians, it is clear that accessibility must be a cornerstone of future developments, ensuring that homes are adaptable for everyone’s evolving needs. By prioritizing these changes now, Canada can pave the way for a more inclusive society that allows everyone, regardless of ability, to thrive in their communities.

The time for change isn't just a call to action—it's a necessity for a diverse, equitable future. Don't let this moment pass us by!