Who handles disability & accessibility?
Disability & Accessibility
Disability policy spans all levels. Federal sets national accessibility standards, provinces deliver disability benefits and provincial accessibility laws, and municipalities ensure local accessibility.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● Approximately 21% of Canadians (over 6.6 million people) report having at least one disability, according to Statistics Canada.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Accessible Canada Act (federal accessibility standards)
- ● CPP-Disability benefit
- ● Disability Tax Credit
- ● Canada Disability Benefit
💡 Example: Apply for CPP-D or the Disability Tax Credit through Service Canada or CRA.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial disability support programs (e.g., ODSP in Ontario, AISH in Alberta, PWD in BC, Solidarité sociale in Quebec)
- ● Provincial accessibility legislation (e.g., AODA in Ontario, AMA in Manitoba, accessibility acts in other provinces)
- ● Disability-related healthcare services
- ● Assistive devices programs
💡 Example: Contact your provincial disability support program, or your MPP/MLA about accessibility standards.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Accessible transit (ParaTranspo, Wheel-Trans, HandyDART, etc.)
- ● Municipal building accessibility
- ● Disability parking permits
- ● Local accessibility advisory committees
💡 Example: Contact your municipal accessibility office, or your councillor about local accessibility improvements.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Contact your MP about accessibility improvements in your community under the Accessible Canada Act.
- ● Participate in municipal accessibility advisory committees to help shape local barrier-free policies.
Ready to Take Action?
Use MyCivicVoice to find your representatives and draft a letter about the issues that matter to you.
Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
The Canada Disability Benefit is a new federal program (announced 2024) providing monthly payments to low-income Canadians with disabilities. It builds on the existing Disability Tax Credit system.
The DTC is a non-refundable tax credit for persons with significant and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions. It also unlocks access to other programs like the RDSP and Disability Savings Grant.
The RDSP is a long-term savings plan for persons with disabilities. It offers government grants (up to $3,500/year) and bonds (up to $1,000/year for low-income families) to help build savings.
AODA is Ontario's accessibility legislation requiring organizations to identify, remove, and prevent barriers. Other provinces have similar legislation (e.g., British Columbia's Accessibility Act).
Apply through the CRA for the Disability Tax Credit. You will need a medical professional to complete the DTC certification form. Other benefits vary by province.