Beau, a five-year-old boy from Beamsville, Ont., starts his day being carried by his parents to the living room where his wheelchair waits. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 17 months old, Beau faces daily struggles due to his inability to walk independently. These difficulties include being unable to access doorways wide enough for his wheelchair and needing assistance for basic tasks like washing his hands and brushing his teeth. Beau’s parents, Rachel O’Hagan and Bryce, know that as he grows older, these challenges will only increase. Beau could navigate his life more independently if his environment was accommodating.
The harsh reality facing Beau and his family reflects a broader issue experienced by many individuals with disabilities in Canada. Tracy Odell, a 66-year-old woman living in Toronto with the same condition, shares a similar story. Despite growing up in an institution for children with disabilities, she faced limited housing options once she aged out of the program. The lack of accessible housing options in Canada remains a pressing issue, as highlighted by Jutta Treviranus, director of the Inclusive Design Research Centre at OCAD University.
The urgency surrounding accessible housing is further underscored by the recommendations included in Federal housing advocate Marie-Josée Houle’s 2022-2023 report. Houle emphasized the need to integrate accessibility into the National Housing Strategy, ensuring that new government-funded units meet specific criteria for visitability. Stephanie Cadieux, the federal government’s chief accessibility officer, stressed the importance of developing adaptable homes that cater to changing needs over time.
Despite the evident need for accessible housing, Canada continues to lag behind in addressing this critical issue. There is an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionize the housing landscape by incorporating accessibility features from the outset, as underscored by Cadieux and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. Reports show that the additional costs of making existing homes accessible far exceed those of constructing new accessible homes.
The Daniels Corp., a developer in the Greater Toronto Area, has taken a significant step towards addressing this housing crisis with its Accessibility Designed Program. By creating accessibly designed homes tailored for individuals with mobility challenges at no extra cost, the Daniels Corp. is setting a standard for inclusive housing development. However, the limited availability of units with enhanced accessibility features is a stark reminder that more needs to be done to bridge the gap.
As the federal government explores new avenues to enhance housing accessibility, stakeholders like Kate Chung, co-founder of the Accessible Housing Network, are optimistic about the transformative impact these initiatives could have. By prioritizing universal design features in housing developments, Canada has a unique opportunity to bolster its housing infrastructure and ensure inclusivity for all its residents.
Tracy Odell, despite the imperfections of her current living situation, feels fortunate to have a home that meets some of her needs. The journey towards greater accessibility in housing is ongoing, but steps taken today can pave the way for a more inclusive and accommodating future for all Canadians.
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