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Let’s Make Our Buildings and Space Accessible for Everyone

This course supports Indigenous community members in creating safer, more welcoming environments for everyone; elders, children, visitors, and future generations.

Together, we’ll explore how to assess buildings, land, and shared spaces with a focus on well-being, inclusion, and dignity. You’ll learn how to identify barriers that may prevent people from fully participating and how to develop community-specific solutions that reflect local needs, values, and resources.

We’ll explore examples of Canadian accessibility standards that can support community-led planning and funding opportunities, while keeping the focus on creating spaces where everyone can participate fully, feel respected, and belong.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand accessibility as a tool for safety, dignity, inclusion, and community well-being
• Identify and be respectful of all barriers (physical, sound, smell, touch) in your buildings and on your land
• Develop practical, respectful, and community-driven accessibility recommendations
• Build capacity to lead accessibility efforts in your communities

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Module Title	Brief Description	Deliverables
Government Framework, Community Standards	Why Does Accessibility Matter?  Disability Trends Government Standards Accessibility Frameworks Specific Accessibility Features in Practice • Describe what accessibility means • Recognize how personal/shared experiences shape understanding of accessibility • Consider various disability types and the barriers that exist • Identify barriers in buildings, land, and gathering spaces • Learn to identify gaps and barriers in your community	• Better understanding of barriers that may exist • Sharing of best practices
Assessing Space and Buildings	Assessment steps Measurement tools Photo documentation Zones of access (indoor and outdoor) • Practice identifying accessibility challenges in your community • Document your findings • Reflect on how barriers impact use • Explore how standards can help support decisions • Observe obstacle and barriers	• Resource material shared with participants to assess a building in your community • Participation in community walkthrough • Photo log or diagram of observations
Accessibility Observations in your Community – Is it Accessible?	Review walkthrough findings Emergency Planning • Build confidence identifying obstacles • Giving priority to your accessibility observations • Distinguish short-term vs. long-term enhancements • Recognize the importance of accessibility in emergency preparedness and response	• Build confidence identifying obstacles • Rating system to support accessibility priorities • Emergency measures to assist People with Disabilities
Managing Minor and Major Obstacles – Best Practices and Work Arounds	Available Funding & Support Best Practices Immediate Solutions and Future Upgrades Work Arounds Contracting accessibility work • Share solutions from other communities • Learn about available grants and loans to support accessibility upgrades • Plan how to keep accessibility in the forefront • Work arounds to help eliminate obstacles or barriers	• Grants and loans to support • Reflection on lessons learned • Proposed Accessibility plan