Seniors and persons with disabilities travel, stay at hotels and expect the high quality service all travellers do. They also make up 15 to 20 per cent of the world’s population and represent a huge growth segment in the accommodation marketplace. To help Canadian hoteliers position their businesses to lead in providing the accessible accommodations and amenities this market segment demands, The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) developed the Access Canada Rating and Certification Program, known as Access Canada.
 
In 1995, HAC was developing a sensitivity training program when the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association was creating standards of accessibility, known as the Access Alberta Standards. The two projects were ultimately combined for national delivery by HAC under the name Access Canada.

With the invaluable assistance of the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) and a diverse working committee, Access Canada was revised and updated and is now delivered in an online, bilingual format - right here!

In light of recent changes in accessibility legislation and the upcoming 2010 Winter Paralympics in Whistler/Vancouver, HAC undertook to update the Access Canada Program to help make Canadian lodging facilities more inclusive destinations and workplaces.

Acknowledgements
The HAC wishes to express sincere thanks to the organizations and individuals who volunteered their time and expertise to the Access Canada project:

Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association
British Columbia & Yukon Hotels’ Association
Canadian Hearing Society
Canadian Paraplegic Association
Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
Victor Ferreira, Hotelier
Kéroul
Richard O’Beirne, Hotelier
Quebec Tourism Human Resource Council (CQRHT)
Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association
Tourism BC