According to Statistics Canada, 27% of Canadians aged 15 and older report living with one or more disabilities that limit them in their daily lives. These 8 million Canadians encounter a variety of societal barriers—physical, architectural, attitudinal, and technological—that may hinder their participation in day-to-day activities that many people take for granted. When individuals, communities, and organizations find ways to remove these barriers, everyone benefits and we contribute to building a more equitable and accessible world for all.
According to the Rick Hansen Foundation, “the vast majority of homes in Canada are not built to be accessible or adaptable to accommodate current or future accessibility needs.” In recognition of the opportunity to better support buyers looking for specific home accessibility features to meet their individual needs, the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has partnered with the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR) to create new accessibility-focused information fields on REALTOR.ca.
NSAR spearheaded this initiative after reflecting on the 38% of Nova Scotians who identify as having a disability (according to Statistics Canada), compared to 27% nationally. In partnership with, and receiving input from, Atlantic Accessibility, CREA, Rick Hansen Foundation, Nova Scotia Community College, and members of the disability community in Nova Scotia, NSAR put forth these changes to its MLS® System.
“One of the strategies that was suggested by our consultant and also those with lived experience, is to start small and be focused on one type of disability: mobility,” says Tanya White, Director of Communications at NSAR. That’s exactly what these new fields will help home buyers explore.
As of June 5, 2024, REALTORS® in Nova Scotia have access to several new accessibility information fields in their MLS® System. CREA hopes other real estate boards and associations will follow suit and make use of this new feature.
“The disability community is very pleased with this step,” says White. “We will continue to hear more comments from clients and follow up with our REALTORS® to see how this first summer with the new fields went.”
Among the more than 45 new fields, options include:
- Accessible Approach with Ramp
- Accessible Bedroom
- Accessible Central Living Area
- Accessible Closets
- Accessible Electrical and Environmental Controls
- Accessible Elevator Installed
- Accessible for Hearing-Impairment
- Accessible Full Bath
- Accessible Hallway(s)
- Accessible Stairway
- Adaptable Bathroom Walls
- Adaptable For Elevator
- Ceiling Track
- Common Area
- Electronic Environmental Controls
- Enhanced Accessible
- Exterior Wheelchair Lift
- Grip-Accessible Features
- Reinforced Floors
- Safe Emergency Egress from Home
- Smart Technology
- Stair Lift
- Standby Generator
- Therapeutic Whirlpool
- Visitable
- 32” Minimum Entry Doorways
“The home search is a multi-dimensional experience from the digital search on REALTOR.ca to viewing homes and understanding their physical space,” says Justin Wah Kan, Interim Director of Products, REALTOR.ca. “It was critical that when we decided to improve accessibility of the search experience that we accounted for both aspects of the journey. That’s why this partnership with NSAR is so important because it helps us bridge the gap between the digital and physical experience of buying a home.”
Some might wonder why there are 45 fields instead of just one accessibility checkbox. White explains, “Accessibility varies for each person, so we use the term ‘adaptable.’ A home for someone with low vision might differ from one suited for a mobility device. Our goal is to provide clients with all the information they need to make the best choice for themselves.”
In addition to adding the information fields, all REALTORS® in Nova Scotia are completing mandatory training on how to identify and measure the accessibility in properties so they can use these information fields accurately.
“At CREA, we believe all people should have equitable access to safe and affordable housing options that meet their needs,” says Sarah Thirnbeck, Director of Strategic Impact and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). “Our CREA and REALTOR.ca teams are proud of our involvement in this collaborative effort to advance accessibility within the home buying and selling process. We look forward to continuing on this journey in service to our members and consumers of all abilities.”
Enhancing accessibility on REALTOR.ca
In addition to the accessibility field updates on REALTOR.ca, CREA has been working to update the platform both on web and mobile to offer a more inclusive and accessible experience for consumers. CREA is undertaking upgrades to both the user interface and the backend systems to align with best practices in web accessibility, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards. Improvements include:
- optimizing navigation;
- enhancing readability; and
- incorporating assistive technologies.
If your board or association wants to find out how you can add these fields to your MLS® System, contact Rob Reynar, Director, Industry Development at CREA. If REALTORS® are interested in having access to this feature they should contact their respective board or association to express interest.
Interested in learning more about this topic? Check out this episode of REAL TIME where we speak with Brad McCannell, Vice President of Access and Inclusion at the Rick Hansen Foundation, to explore the personal, societal, and financial value of adopting Universal Design practices in both our homes and shared spaces.
