Impact of Research on the Evolution of Accessibility Standards

Accessibility in the built environment is crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote equity, inclusion, and sustainable urban development. This study examines how the quantity and content of research on the accessibility of built environments for people with physical, sensory, and cognitive/intellectual disabilities impacted the development of accessibility standards. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the correlation between standard evolution and pertinent research. A representative sample was selected and reviewed to identify connections between research and the development of standards and to highlight gaps and limitations that hinder comprehensive accessibility standards. Canada’s CSA/ASC B651 standard is used as a case study. The study revealed that the evolution of the standard is constrained by the status and type of research. Results indicated that 50% of the research reviewed focuses on individuals with physical disabilities, half of the studies are not data-driven, and most research on people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities follows medical models, with data that are not suitable for standard development.