Jake Cohen | January 2, 2025
The real estate industry still has a long way to go when it comes to building truly accessible spaces for all, and the new $956-million Toronto courthouse is just the latest example of how Canada is falling short. With a claim to be the “most accessible courthouse in Ontario,” the building exposes a harsh reality: accessibility is still being treated as an afterthought.
An inspection of the courthouse, led by Dave Lepofsky, chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance, revealed major barriers: confusing layouts, inaccessible pathways and poorly installed wayfinding systems.
Unfortunately, this issue of accessibility in private and public spaces is not isolated. Across Canada, we see new development projects that meet minimum legal standards for accessibility but still fail to create spaces that everyone can use comfortably and independently. It’s a systemic problem that highlights how merely meeting minimum accessibility standards falls short.
We must adopt a new standard of inclusive design that proactively addresses the needs of people of all abilities. The real estate industry has the power—and the responsibility—to lead this transformation.