The Canadian Abilities Foundation (CAF) is thrilled to announce a $600,000 funding award from Accessibility Standards Canada/the Government of Canada for its transformative “Accessible Skies” project. The funding is provided through Accessibility Standards Canada’s Advancing Accessibility Standards Research Program.
Accessible Skies is focused on enhancing accessibility and support for people with cognitive disabilities, their care partners, and families in the airport experience. CAF is partnering with O’Hara Aging + Accessibility and HelpAge Canada on this three-year initiative, which aims to:
• Identify barriers faced by passengers with cognitive disabilities and their support networks to enhance their airport experience
• Influence accessibility standards in Canadian airports to reduce barriers and promote best practices
• Better equip Canadian airports to support these travellers through education and customer service improvements.
For people with cognitive disabilities and their support networks, navigating airports involves skills development, overcoming complex systems and processes, and managing multiple barriers.
According to the most recent data from the Canadian Survey on Disability (Statistics Canada, 2022), about 8 million Canadians reported living with at least one disability, including around 1.5 million people with a cognitive disability. These figures highlight the importance of inclusive design, clear communication, and trained support staff, particularly in public spaces such as airports.
“We’re extremely grateful to Accessibility Standards Canada and the Government of Canada for providing funding for our Accessible Skies project,” says Jay Rosenfeld, Board Chair of the Canadian Abilities Foundation. “We’re excited to contribute to creating barrier-free experience for travellers in Canada. Our goal is to support an accessible travel experience that will take Canada one step further to being an inclusive society for people living with cognitive disabilities.”
The Canadian Abilities Foundation is also collaborating with:
• Alzheimer’s Society of Canada
• Baycrest Hospital’s Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation
• The Ontario Brain Institute
• University of Toronto’s Institute for Life Course and Aging
• National Institute on Ageing
• Silvermark Canada.
To learn more visit accessibleskies.ca
The Canadian Abilities Foundation is a national charity that envisions an inclusive, universally accessible society. We aim to empower people living with disabilities and advocate for removing barriers to support all Canadians in achieving their goals. We promote accessibility to reduce stigmas associated with disability and aging, provide youth with practical employment experience and on-the-job training opportunities, and celebrate and support family support networks and caregivers. canadianabilities.org
Photo: iStock
