Accessibility at Public Services and Procurement Canada

As the Government of Canada’s common service provider, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) works to provide excellent service to other federal departments. By aiming to improve access to its programs and services for people with disabilities, PSPC helps federal departments provide high-quality programs and services to all Canadians.

Our commitment to accessibility

PSPC strives to ensure that people with disabilities are considered in its policies and practices. Regardless of their disability, Canadians, employees from the Department, and its client departments benefit from the delivery of PSPC’s mandate.

How we improve accessibility

Accessibility on the Web

PSPC follows the Government of Canada Standard on Web Accessibility for all public-facing websites. This standard is based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. These guidelines, developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), help to ensure that web content is accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities.

Accessibility in the workplace

Making our buildings accessible

As the Government of Canada's real estate expert, PSPC manages a large and diverse real estate portfolio across the country. PSPC oversees operation, maintenance and management services for all mechanical and electrical systems and architectural components of its buildings.

PSPC must meet certain accessibility requirements in providing access to and use of its buildings. These requirements include building components such as entrances, passenger elevators, public areas and federal work areas.

What does an accessible workplace look like?

An accessible workplace has:

  • main entrances that are equipped with a power door;
  • passenger elevators with visual and auditory signals and tactile identification;
  • public areas, such as cafeterias and walkways, that are accessible to people with physical disabilities;
  • federal work areas, such as offices and meeting rooms, that are accessible to people with visual and physical disabilities;
  • interior doors and corridors that are wide enough for people in manual wheelchairs and with light levels that are high enough to accommodate people with visual impairments;
  • washrooms that are properly equipped for people in wheelchairs;
  • at least one public telephone that is accessible to people in wheelchairs and with hearing impairments;
  • at least one drinking fountain that is accessible to people in wheelchairs;
  • tactile signage for individuals with visual impairments to indicate washrooms, emergency exits, elevators, stairwells, etc.;
  • visitor parking with the required number of accessible parking spaces; and
  • large assembly areas equipped with assistive listening systems.

Note: These requirements are considered as a minimum. Federal departments and agencies may apply for other requirements that are beyond Treasury Board Secretariat’s Accessibility Standard for Real Property.

Providing accommodation for security personnel

The Canadian General Standards Board’s qualification programs for the training of security personnel contain provisions for human rights and diversity. These provisions include awareness and accommodations for people with disabilities.

Providing the right office furniture for all employees

The Canadian General Standards Board’s qualification programs for office furniture identify products compliant with standards, including adjustability. Government suppliers must ensure that their office furniture meets certain requirements.

Reducing the risk of injury, illness and disability

PSPC’s Disability Management Program Services guides employees and managers through steps to reduce the risk of injury, illness or disability in the workplace. Through this program, employees access a range of social, health and rehabilitative services to receive the required support and benefit entitlements.

Eliminating technology barriers

The Accessibility, Accommodations and Adaptive Computer Technology Program at Shared Services Canada helps PSPC managers and employees eliminate barriers presented by computer interfaces in the workplace. The program helps employees with ergonomic requirements, injuries and disabilities across the federal government gain access to computers.

Making travel more accessible

The Shared Travel Services travel management solution allows government employees with special needs to indicate travel requirements. The travel agency is also equipped to handle calls from travellers with special needs.

Advancing careers for persons with disabilities

In 2012, union representatives raised concerns to senior management regarding barriers to career advancement for designated group members, especially for persons with disabilities and Aboriginal Peoples. To address these concerns, a diversity survey was conducted in December 2014. The survey asked questions about staffing processes, promotions, language training, career development and accommodations. Recommendations resulting from the survey will be added to the current Diversity Action Plan 2014–2017 in late 2015.

Further reading

Accessibility in providing service

Developing standards for service dogs

The Canadian General Standards Board is developing standards for service dogs. People with disabilities use service dogs to help with physical, social or emotional challenges. There are currently no national consensus-based standards or third-party certification schemes in Canada or internationally for the training, performance and certification of service dog teams.

Helping suppliers with disabilities

PSPC strives to accommodate and be accessible to all people who wish to do business with the government. For example, the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME) provides outreach services to existing and potential suppliers across the country. These services include a toll-free information line, seminars and one-on-one meetings that are available in a way that best accommodates the supplier—in person, by phone or online.

More information

  • Contact us for more information about how PSPC accommodates people with disabilities.
  • Canadian Human Rights Act – describes the government’s obligation to provide equal opportunity to all individuals.
  • Employment Equity Act – describes the government’s obligation to ensure equality in the workplace.