Understanding accessibility and disability in the planning profession: an examination of planners’ knowledge and practices

Disability discrimination has been prohibited in Canada for decades, yet people with disabilities (PwD) continue to experience inaccessible built environments. Canada’s most populous province - Ontario - has well-developed accessibility legislation, however was recently evaluated to be in a “crisis state” after 20 years of implementation. Planners have profound influence on built environments, thus we asked planners about their attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of accessibility and disability through interviews. We found limited understanding of accessibility and disability (in terms of definitions, legislation, and policy), limited experience engaging with PwD in their work/workplaces, and limited educational training. Importantly - planners were eager to learn more to enhance their practice. Offering insight into the status of the profession, we conclude with six actions to help planning bodies and practitioners advance more just communities.