AODA IASR Accessibility Guide

Understanding Ontario’s Accessibility Standards

Design of Public Spaces Standard (IASR)

The Design of Public Spaces Standard outlines accessibility requirements for newly constructed or redeveloped outdoor public areas. Its purpose is to ensure that public spaces are designed so people with disabilities can navigate them safely and independently.

This standard applies to public-sector organizations and certain private-sector organizations involved in large-scale outdoor construction or redevelopment projects.

What This Standard Covers

The Design of Public Spaces Standard includes accessibility requirements for:

  • Outdoor public-use eating areas

  • Outdoor play spaces

  • Exterior paths of travel

  • Accessible parking

  • Service counters and fixed queuing guides

  • Waiting areas

  • Recreational trails and beach access routes

  • Maintenance and restoration of accessible elements

Why This Standard Matters

Well-designed public spaces allow people with disabilities to move through communities with dignity, independence, and safety.

This standard ensures that outdoor environments are not built with avoidable barriers and that accessibility features are maintained over time.

By following these guidelines, organizations help create inclusive communities where public areas can be enjoyed and accessed by everyone.

Key Requirements for Organizations

1. Outdoor Public-Use Eating Areas

Requirements include:

  • Providing accessible seating spaces
  • Ensuring ground surfaces are stable, firm, and slip-resistant
  • Ensuring accessible tables are distributed throughout the space

2. Outdoor Play Spaces

Organizations must:

  • Consider accessibility needs in design and construction
  • Provide accessible entry points and ground surfaces
  • Include play components that can be used by children with various disabilities

3. Exterior Paths of Travel

Paths must meet accessibility criteria related to:

  • Minimum widths
  • Slopes and ramps
  • Curbs and curb ramps
  • Tactile walking surface indicators
  • Rest areas where appropriate

4. Accessible Parking

Requirements include:

  • A set number of accessible parking spaces based on lot size
  • At least one van-accessible space where applicable
  • Clearly marked signage
  • Access aisles between parking spaces

5. Service Counters, Queuing Guides, and Waiting Areas

Organizations must ensure:

  • At least one service counter is accessible
  • Fixed queuing guides follow accessibility design requirements
  • Waiting areas include accessible seating spaces

6. Recreational Trails and Beach Access Routes

Design requirements include:

  • Clear width and route identification
  • Firm, stable surfaces
  • Accessible entrances
  • Proper signage

7. Maintenance Requirements

Organizations must maintain accessible elements by:

  • Repairing accessibility features promptly
  • Documenting maintenance procedures
  • Communicating temporary disruptions
  • Examples of Compliance in Action
  • Installing ramps with tactile indicators along outdoor pathways
  • Creating accessible picnic tables with extended tops
  • Designing playgrounds with accessible swings, ramps, or ground-level components
  • Providing van-accessible parking with adjacent access aisles
  • Clearly marking accessible service counters with signage
  • Building boardwalk-style routes for beach access

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to maintain accessibility features after installation
  • Designing paths that are too steep or narrow
  • Offering only one accessible seating area instead of distributing them
  • Failing to provide tactile surface indicators at key points
  • Not communicating temporary disruptions in accessible routes
  • Installing service counters that are physically accessible but poorly labeled