On December 3, 2025, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian government published the world’s first national standard dedicated to accessibility and equity in artificial intelligence systems: CAN-ASC-6.2. This standard aims to ensure access to AI systems for everyone, without exclusion or discrimination, from design to use. A major advancement that positions Canada as a leader in inclusive technology.
Why a standard for accessible and equitable AI?
Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming how individuals access services, information, and opportunities. Whether in customer service tools, hiring processes, or consumer applications, AI has become a cornerstone of modern life. However, its development does not always consider the specific needs of people with disabilities, risking the perpetuation or even worsening of existing inequalities. Currently, the design of AI systems often fails to integrate the needs of people with disabilities, which contributes to reinforcing inequalities and the digital divide. Today, it is estimated that 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, live with a disability.
The CAN-ASC-6.2 standard addresses this challenge by providing a clear framework for designing AI systems that are accessible and equitable from the outset. It targets organizations and developers, offering them criteria and best practices to integrate equity and inclusion at every stage of the AI lifecycle. The goal is simple: to ensure that technology works for everyone, leaving no one behind.
The four pillars of the CAN-ASC-6.2 standard
The CAN-ASC-6.2 standard is built around four key principles, designed to ensure that artificial intelligence systems are accessible, equitable, and inclusive. These pillars are the result of collaborative reflection and a rigorous public review process:
- designing AI systems accessible to people with disabilities: identify and eliminate potential barriers from the development phase, integrating technical requirements and best practices tailored to the diverse needs of users.
- ensuring equity and preventing exclusion: establish safeguards to prevent AI systems from reproducing or worsening discrimination, particularly against marginalized groups, through rigorous testing and evaluation protocols.
- implementing sustainable processes: maintain accessibility and equity throughout the technology lifecycle, from design to updates, by incorporating regular reviews and feedback mechanisms.
- training teams on inclusion issues: raise awareness and equip professionals to adopt a responsible and inclusive approach, integrating these principles into training and organizational cultures.
A notable aspect of this standard is its collaborative development: the technical committee, primarily composed of people with disabilities and representatives of equity-seeking groups, ensured that the real needs of users were at the heart of the recommendations. After a thorough public review, the standard was validated by the Standards Council of Canada, confirming its compliance with international best practices.
A practical, free, and inclusive standard
To facilitate its adoption, the CAN-ASC-6.2 standard is available free of charge in Canada’s two official languages and in accessible formats. It is accompanied by a plain-language summary and is also available in Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and American Sign Language (ASL). This diversity of formats reflects the project’s ambition: to promote inclusive technology, both in its use and dissemination.
Accessibility Standards Canada, an organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, reaffirms its commitment to contributing to a barrier-free Canada by 2040. With this standard, the country sets an example on the global stage, proving that it is possible to reconcile technological innovation with respect for fundamental rights.
Reactions and perspectives
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment and Families, welcomed this initiative, stating that “accessibility and inclusion are a right, not a privilege.” She emphasized that tools like this standard are essential to ensure that digital transformation benefits everyone, thereby strengthening the workforce, communities, and the country as a whole.
Dino Zuppa, President and CEO of Accessibility Standards Canada, stressed the importance of this standard in building a fair and inclusive future. According to him, it fills a critical gap by providing organizations with concrete guidance while reinforcing Canada’s position as a leader in accessible technology.
Conclusion
The publication of the CAN-ASC-6.2 standard is a major advancement for digital inclusion. It underscores that technological innovation must go hand in hand with equity and accessibility. For organizations, adopting this standard is an opportunity to commit tangibly to responsible and inclusive AI. For citizens, it is the promise of a future where technology serves everyone, without distinction.