Accelerating Accessibility Coalition

The Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (AAC) is a first-of-its-kind community of real estate development and accessibility leaders that aims to create a more accessible Canada. It is challenging home builders to make physical accessibility a greater priority as they build the millions of new homes needed across Canada in the next decade.

ULI Toronto is serving as the AAC’s secretariat.

Meet our Leaders!

Co-Chair Luke Anderson, Executive Director, StopGap Foundation

Outgoing Co-Chair Heela Omarkhail, VP, Social Impact, The Daniels Corporation

Incoming Co-Chair Heidi Green, Director, Development, RioCan REIT

See the news release from the November 29, 2022 launch event at the World Urban Pavilion – Powered by Daniels at Regent Park.

Find out how you can become a member. Contact Linda Weichel.

The coalition is underpinned by the belief that accessible housing benefits everyone, and that a sign of an inclusive and prosperous country is where people of all ages and abilities can participate fully in society, including having access to homes that are barrier-free. For Canada to fully realize this vision, the supply of accessible housing needs to match the important demand.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2017, one in five (22 percent) Canadians aged 15 years and over identified as having one or more disabilities and more than half (55.8 percent) reported having a physical disability. Among those with physical disabilities, 44.9 percent required at least one type of aid or assistive device or an accessibility feature within their home, including ramps, a walk-in bath or shower, a lift device or elevator, lowered counters, or automatic doors.

Yet many Canadians living with disabilities face significant barriers related to homes and facilities. As the population continues to age the challenges will continue to increase.

For more information, write to [email protected] with Accessibility Coalition in the subject line.

Accelerating Accessibility Coalition Founding Members

The following people and local and national organizations have signaled their commitment to accessibility and the coalition’s mission of significantly increasing the supply of accessible housing. The * indicates the organization is a founding member.  See members’ Statements of Support here.

To join the coalition, send a Statement of Support to [email protected] with the subject line Accessibility Coalition and tell us why accessible housing is important to you and your organization.

Real estate development

  • BentallGreenOak
  • Cadillac Fairview
  • Choice Properties REIT
  • Crosswalk Communities
  • DiamondCorp
  • EllisDon Community Builders
  • Giannone Petricone Associates
  • Greenwin
  • GWL Realty Advisors
  • Human Space
  • Jeffrey Kerr, RE/MAX Prime Properties Unique Group
  • Northcrest Developments
  • Percy Ellis
  • Penguin Living
  • SHS Consulting
  • RioCan REIT
  • TAS
  • The Daniels Corporation
  • BILD (Building Industry and Land Development Association)
  • ULI (Urban Land Institute)’s Toronto District Council

Accessibility

  • Accessible Housing Network
  • AccessNow
  • Aequum Global Access Inc.
  • Atlantic Accessibility Consulting
  • Bellwoods Centres
  • CNIB Access Labs
  • Community Living Toronto
  • Direct Access Consultancy
  • Incluzia Inc.
  • Intentional Community Consortium
  • L’Arche Toronto Homes Inc
  • March of Dimes Canada
  • Pedesting Corporation
  • Reena
  • Rick Hansen Foundation
  • RPATH Committee (Responsible Personal Accessibility in Toronto Housing)
  • Safehaven
  • Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
  • StopGap Foundation
  • Sunnybrook Research Institute
  • The Right Fit Program
  • Yazmine Laroche

Civic and education

  • Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR)
  • City of Vaughan
  • CivicAction
  • John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto
  • Centre for Feminist Research, York University

The Accessibility Toolbox

The Accessibility Toolbox offers tools that developers can use today to make the homes they build more accessible, without waiting for building codes or legislation to catch up to the current and evolving needs of the Canadian population.

The toolbox highlights the work and best practices of participating coalition partners including standards, certifications, expert services, and connections to organizations representing people with disabilities. If you have a tool or tip for the toolbox, we want to hear from you! Write to [email protected] with Accessibility Coalition in the subject line.