Commercial

Ensuring Everyone Can
Participate With Confidence

Open your doors to more potential Contact Us
Residential

Helping Loved Ones Feel
Comfortable At Home

An accessible home builds an inclusive family Contact Us
Facilities

Building Community
Through Inclusion

An accessible home builds an inclusive family Contact Us
Certification

Recognizing Spaces That Have
Done It Right

Be proud of your space, we sure are Contact Us

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Home Services

Accessibility Done Right – Cuts Costs, Builds Capacity & Makes Life Accessible For Everyone

Leveraging multiple leading international accessibility standards, we help our clients increase opportunities by reducing physical barriers.

As your accessibility partner, we work with you to review, analyze and understand the goals for your physical environment so we can provide detailed recommendations throughout the life of the project, from concept to certification to communication.

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Make Universal Accessibility the Standard

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Implementation Methodology

Implementation Methodology

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Step 1 - Discovery
1 Discovery
Step 2 - Assessment
2 Assessment
Step 3 - Strategy Report
3 Strategy Report
Step 4 - Design Consultation
4 Design Consultation
Step 5 - Certification
5 Certification

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Make Your Space Barrier Free Today

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Accessibility Benefits

Accessibility Benefits

Universal Access focuses on your accessibility needs so you can focus on your business.

Our experienced consultants work with you to guide your accessibility strategies, helping you align them with your current business, process and infrastructure.

An investment in accessibility unlocks access to new demographics and additional revenue.

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Contact-Free Access
Contact-Free Access
Eliminating Social Isolation
Eliminating Social Isolation
Inclusive Design
Inclusive Design
Equality of Opportunity
Equality of Opportunity
Future-Proof Design
Future-Proof Design
International Customers
International Customers
Higher Retention
Higher Retention
CSR Expansion
CSR Expansion

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Make Universal Accessibility the Standard

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Who We Work With

Who We Work With

Customized Plans, Inclusive Design & Internationally Recognized Standards

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Architect
Designer
Developer
Contractor
Building Owner
Property Manager
Facility Operator
Business Owner

Types

Spaces Where We Work

Commercial

Open your doors to new customers and a broader pool of potential employees.

In Canada, people living with disabilities represent over $55 billion in spending power ($366.5 billion when including family and friends).

Accessibility is a strong differentiator for customers, employers and tenets.

Residential

Allowing everyone to live comfortably in their own home, regardless of age or ability.

In the next 20 years, Canada’s senior population – those age 65 and older – is expected to grow by 68%.

Beautifully designed accessibility accommodations can be the difference between aging in place and entering a care facility.

Facilities

Whether an airport, hockey arena or long-term care facility, everyone who enters these spaces should do so without barriers.

1 in 6 Canadians report to be living with a disability, and oftentimes these people remain socially isolated at home.

These spaces are often the hubs for connection, and excluding someone due to their ability doesn’t create an inclusive community.

Testimonials

Testimonials

  • Performance Training Centre

    Universal Access’ involvement with WinSport’s first Adapted Multi-Sport Program was paramount to its success. Not only did they provide a professional audit of our space to create the most accessible wayfinding route for our participants, but they also promoted our program to organizations & individuals that we would never have reached. With their help, our program was an outstanding success and it couldn’t have been achieved without them. I highly recommend working with Universal Access.

    ~ Jackson Sinclair, Team Lead, Performance Training Centre

Certifications

Certifications

Our internationally recognized trademarked certifications are designed and calibrated by combining the foundations of Universal Design standards, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Canadian Nation Building Code, the CSA Group Standards and other leading internationally sanctioned accessibility standards to meet and exceed building code requirements.

Barrier Free

Barrier Free

This levels answers the simple question “is your door open to everyone, regardless of ability?” The Seal considers the entrances to a place of work or business (i.e. office building, restaurant, coffee shop, retail, etc.)

It does not assess the entire space for accessibility; rather simply looks to confirm 50% of the entrances to a space or place are accessible and these spaces fulfill a very basic measure of accessibility. It’s better to do a little than nothing – let us assess what level is right for you.

Bronze Certifications

Bronze Certifications

The Bronze Certification is the first level in our full accessibility assessment of a space. It ensures all the Provincial Building Code Requirements for that area have been met, and accommodations have been made to ensure people have a similar experience regardless of ability. This certification ensures the minimum standards of accessibility have been met, such as easy way finding, functional washrooms and the ability for someone to access, exit and pass independently through a building. Walkways leading up to the building, parking and path of travel from transit are also included.

Silver Certifications

Silver Certifications

The Silver Certification institutes best practices in Universal Design standards. This certification level also delves deeper into the relationship between spatial layout, social inclusion and economic participation.

Things like hospitality items (i.e.,disposable straws) increases not only the accessibility; but the inclusive atmosphere in which the space operates. As a property or business owner, you are taking an additional step towards creating inclusiveness for all people and allowing more users the feeling like they truly belong.

Gold Certifications

Gold Certifications

In addition, Gold Certification leverages the European Accessibility Act (WAA) and Australian Disability Act (DDA). We look to case studies and best practices from around the globe to evaluate a place or space for disability-specific accommodations, and ensure the highest levels of independence is delivered. Not only do we take the built environment into consideration; but also all accommodations available within the space. The implementation of new technologies, spatial aids and products are a basic requirement at this level, helping keep spaces cutting edge and as accommodating as they can possibly be. This certification sets the bar for inclusiveness and creates a benchmark for other spaces to strive for.

Barrier Free

Barrier Free Residential

This levels answers the simple question “is your door open to everyone, regardless of ability?” The Seal considers the entrances to a place of work or business (i.e. office building, restaurant, coffee shop, retail, etc.)

It does not assess the entire space for accessibility; rather simply looks to confirm 50% of the entrances to a space or place are accessible and these spaces fulfill a very basic measure of accessibility. It’s better to do a little than nothing – let us assess what level is right for you.

Bronze Certifications

Residential Bronze Certifications

The Bronze Certification is the first level in our full accessibility assessment of a space. It ensures all the Provincial Building Code Requirements for that area have been met, and accommodations have been made to ensure people have a similar experience regardless of ability. This certification ensures the minimum standards of accessibility have been met, such as easy way finding, functional washrooms and the ability for someone to access, exit and pass independently through a building. Walkways leading up to the building, parking and path of travel from transit are also included.

Silver Certifications

Residential Silver Certifications

The Silver Certification institutes best practices in Universal Design standards. This certification level also delves deeper into the relationship between spatial layout, social inclusion and economic participation.

Things like hospitality items (i.e.,disposable straws) increases not only the accessibility; but the inclusive atmosphere in which the space operates. As a property or business owner, you are taking an additional step towards creating inclusiveness for all people and allowing more users the feeling like they truly belong.

Gold Certifications

Residential Gold Certifications

In addition, Gold Certification leverages the European Accessibility Act (WAA) and Australian Disability Act (DDA). We look to case studies and best practices from around the globe to evaluate a place or space for disability-specific accommodations, and ensure the highest levels of independence is delivered. Not only do we take the built environment into consideration; but also all accommodations available within the space. The implementation of new technologies, spatial aids and products are a basic requirement at this level, helping keep spaces cutting edge and as accommodating as they can possibly be. This certification sets the bar for inclusiveness and creates a benchmark for other spaces to strive for.

Do you qualify? Take our Barrier-Free
Self-Assessment Questionnaire here

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The Time Is Now

The Time Is Now

Equal Access is a Human Right

The time is NOW to stop discriminating against people living with disabilities. You would be sued if your space didn’t allow different genders, races or sexual preferences in. Why is it ok for your space to exclude people living with disabilities?

Equal Access
Barrier-free Community

Barrier-Free Communities Connect Us All

The time is NOW to build communities and physical spaces that enable everyone who lives in our community to participate. Having experienced social isolation for a few months, we should now be extra motivated to solve this problem for the millions of people living with disabilities who deal with it on a daily basis.

Aging At Home Is Preferred

The time is NOW to address the gaps in accessible residential design. The global pandemic has dramatically increased the preference for seniors to live their lives at home for as long as possible. With the number of people aged 65 expected to increase by 68% over the next 20 years, can we really afford not to act now?

Age-Friendly Design
Inclusive Workplace

Inclusive Workplaces Drive Innovation & Engagement

The time is NOW to understand the benefits of hiring people living with disabilities. Companies that institute inclusive hiring practices increase productivity, double employee retention and produce greater returns then their traditional hiring practices counterparts.

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