Roughly one in four people in Canada identify themselves as having some form of cognitive or physical disability, but our built environment, while improving, continues to present obstacles for many people.

In this episode of Colliers Talks, Colliers' Tonya Lagrasta, Global Head of Sustainability, and Erin O’Hearn, Senior Property Manager, are joined by Matthew Shaw, Head, Accessible Practice, Rick Hansen Foundation.

They discuss the importance of removing barriers for people with disabilities in buildings, and the need for continuous improvement beyond simply complying with regulations.

There is also a business case for improving accessibility. Enabling more people to access, enjoy and thrive in our spaces can enhance tenant retention and improve a building’s performance.

The conversation covers:

• The challenges and misconceptions around accessibility and why relying on minimum government requirements is not enough
• Why the best approach is to focus on education, empathy and strategic planning to create more accessible spaces
• The importance of considering the entire journey and experience of a person when they arrive at a building, move through the space, and eventually depart
• Why accessibility audits of buildings are integral to the pursuit of continuous improvement