Accessible housing helps every body!
If you don't need accessible features when you move in, great!
But anyone, at any age, can become disabled.
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And thousands of disabled people need accessible housing right now.
So, at the Accessible Housing Network, we're trying to get more accessible housing built. We want every unit in all new multi-unit residential buildings to be built using universal design.
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Universal design is not some space-age ordering of the Milky Way. It is a series of features that makes a living unit accommodate nearly anyone of any age or ability, going beyond mere accessibility. Doorways are wide, kitchen countertops are low, sinks have space to roll under, and toilets have grab bars. Essential fixtures such as light switches, electrical outlets, and door peepholes must be installed at heights that anyone can reach.
The Accessible Housing Network is a collaboration of non-profit Canadian organizations, advocating in support of people of all ages to live as they wish, in housing that is fully accessible. ​It's our mission to bring that about.
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We invite individuals and other groups to support our campaign by contacting their elected representatives
at all levels -- municipal, provincial, and federal.
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For a list of the Steering Committee members,
click here.
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We are proud to have 87 member organizations joining us in the campaign for accessible housing.
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Universal design is design that is usable by all people, as much as possible, regardless of age or ability. In housing, it involves a collection of features such as wide doorways, low countertops, switches in convenient places, and more.
Amazingly, this kind of construction costs only minimally more to build if it is included at the design stage!
To this end, we call on every level of government to make universal design mandatory in every unit in all new multi-unit residential buildings. ​
Which province has the highest disability rate?
Nova Scotia: 37.9%
The following organizations have contributed financially to support the
Accessible Housing Network's website, and other AHN needs:
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DisAbled Women's Network of Canada (DAWN)
Live Educate Transform Society (LET'S)
Approximately 8 million Canadians have a disability --
The latest Canadian Survey on Disability found that in 2022, 27% of Canadians aged 15 or over, which is approximately 8 million people, had one or several disabilities that limited their daily activities.
