Transit System

Accessibility Checklist

[This checklist is designed to help transit agencies assess the accessible features
of their transit system]

Table of Contents
1. Purpose ...................................................................................... 1
2. How to Use the Checklist ............................................................ 3
3. Transit System Accessibility Checklist ......................................... 4
3.1 Communication Elements......................................................... 4
3.1.1 Face-to-Face ........................................................................ 4
3.1.2 Electronic Communication .................................................... 5
3.1.3 Telecommunications ............................................................. 6
3.1.4 Print Material ........................................................................ 7
3.1.5 Signage and Wayfinding ....................................................... 7
3.2 Facilities ................................................................................... 9
3.2.1 Doors and Doorways ............................................................ 9
3.2.2 Washrooms ........................................................................ 10
3.2.3 Exterior Paths ..................................................................... 11
3.2.4 Interior Paths ...................................................................... 12
3.2.5 Ramps and Stairs ............................................................... 13
3.2.6 Elevators ............................................................................ 14
3.2.7 Escalators........................................................................... 15
3.2.8 Rest Areas .......................................................................... 16
3.3 Payment Systems .................................................................. 17
3.3.1 Fare System ....................................................................... 17
3.4 Automobile Connections......................................................... 18
3.4.1 Parking ............................................................................... 18
3.4.2 Passenger Pick Up/Drop Off ............................................... 19
3.5 Transit Stop Design ................................................................ 20
3.5.1 Transit Stop Pole ................................................................ 20

3.5.2 Passenger Area .................................................................. 20

3.5.3 Transit Shelter .................................................................... 21
3.6 Fleet ....................................................................................... 23
3.6.1 In-Transit Information.......................................................... 23
3.6.2 General Vehicle Features ................................................... 23
3.6.3 Seating ............................................................................... 24
3.6.4 Stop Requests and Emergency Controls ............................ 25
3.7 Safety and Security ................................................................ 27
3.7.1 General Features................................................................ 27
3.7.2 Inclement Weather and Service Disruptions ....................... 28

1. Purpose
This checklist is designed to help you identify the accessible features
of your transit system. This checklist is not meant for accessibility
experts, but rather for any transit staff that wants to learn more about
the accessibility of their system.
The dictionary defines accessible as able to be easily obtained or
used. It is a term that can be understood in different ways by
different people. The truth is you will never be able to have a facility
that is 100% accessible to 100% of people. The best anyone can do
is to increase their accessibility to try to accommodate as many
people as possible.
The goal, of course, is to have a transit system that is accessible, that
can be easily used by everyone. Unfortunately, our budgets are not
unlimited, and structural changes dont come easily. Thats reality,
but it is not as much of a problem as you might think. Chances are,
your system is not fully accessible. Accurate information is the
MOST useful tool for anyone with accessibility needs when they are
planning their trips. If someone knows in advance where they might
run into a problem, they can plan their trip around it and it becomes a
non-issue. If you can provide information about the current
accessible features of your system, you are providing an important
customer service, which will make people with disabilities much more
comfortable using your system.
Note: This checklist was designed using the proposed Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Built Environment
Standard, July 2010, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
Accessible Design and the Built Environment (B65.1-04), along with
recognized best practices. It is designed to give you a good start in
identifying the accessibility level of your transit system. It should NOT
be considered an acceptable substitute for the building code or
1

AODA regulations. If you would like extra help in assessing your

facilities, feel free to enlist an architect, or an AODA consultant who
can conduct a full audit. They can also help to explain the
regulations and assist in prioritizing any upgrades.

2. How to Use the Checklist

Each section of the checklist covers a different portion of the transit
system, from the fleet, to the facilities, to the customer service. We
have included pictures for clarity wherever possible. There is a
glossary provided at the end of the checklist that you may refer to if
any of the terms are unclear.
As you go through each section, there is a short introduction to the
section, and then a series of questions. For each question you will be
able to choose Yes, No, or N/A. If you are not sure, feel free to
skip the question and ask for help with it at a later date. If the question
cannot be answered, feel free to add comments wherever you might
find them useful. For example, maybe there are power door operators
on some doors, but not others.
The checklist is designed to incorporate a wide variety of potential
access issues. The goal is to highlight accessibility features that
would benefit a wide variety of people. Not everyone with a disability
will need the system to meet all of these standards. Each point on the
checklist will help some, but may have no effect on the experience of
others.
We encourage you to involve your accessibility steering committee in
the checklist process. They will likely be enthusiastic participants who
can provide you with insights and clarifications as you complete each
section. It is not necessary to complete the entire checklist in one
session. You may work on it over multiple sessions, or have different
people complete the sections with which they are most familiar.
Do not be discouraged if you find yourself checking the No and N/A
boxes often. Knowing the current status of your system is the most
important step in being able to provide good customer service to your
riders with disabilities. It is important to focus on the positive, and
know that every single Yes answer will allow more people to use your
system.
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3. Transit System Accessibility

Checklist
Date:

Station Name:

Assessed by:

3.1 Communication Elements

When preparing to complete this section of the checklist consider all
the ways in which you normally communicate with your customers
including prospective riders. It is important to remember that some
people use specialized devices to assist them with communication, or
have another person help them to communicate.
The AODA Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (IASR)
provides specific direction in its section on Information and
Communication. It is recommended that you review these
requirements as a part of your accessibility preparations. You will
note that some of the items in this checklist are included in the
standard.

3.1.1 Face-to-Face
Item
Has your staff received
Accessible Customer Service
Standard training?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Item

Does your staff understand

how to communicate with
people who use alternative
methods of communication
such as electronic
communication devices?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

3.1.2 Electronic Communication

Item

Compliance

Are your electronic

documents, including route
maps and timetables,
available in an accessible
format? e.g. large font, file
formats that are accessible
with screen readers, plain
language

Yes
No
N/A

Are your videos available

with close captioning?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Item

Compliance

Are your videos available in

described video?

Yes
No
N/A

Do your Mobile applications

meet Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines
(WCAG 2.0)?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.1.3 Telecommunications
Item
Has your staff received
training in communication
with someone using TTY or
the telecommunication relay
system?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

3.1.4 Print Material

Are route maps, timetables
and other public documents
available in large print?

Yes
No
N/A

Is plain language used in

print material whenever
possible?

Yes
No
N/A

Are print materials available

in other accessible formats
upon request? e.g. large
font, Braille

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

3.1.5 Signage and Wayfinding

Item
Do you have directional
signage identifying
accessible entrances,
elevators and washrooms?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Item

Compliance

Are there Tactile Walking

Surface Indicators located at
platform edges, stair
landings and tops of ramps?

Yes
No
N/A

Are entrances for buildings

and shelters clearly identified
with signage at eye level?

Yes
No
N/A

Do you have accessible

signage indicating
washroom? E.g. at eye level,
braille, raised lettering

Yes
No
N/A

Do you have braille on each

sign, below the
corresponding text?

Yes
No
N/A

Are all doors designed to

contrast in colour with the
surrounding area, including
entrances/exits as well as
washroom and other interior
doors?

Yes
No
N/A

Is print on all signage

chosen to contrast in colour
from the background?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Item

Compliance

Image

Comments:

3.2 Facilities
These guidelines provide considerations on barrier free design that
will make transportation systems more accessible to all people,
including those who have difficulties walking and climbing, difficulties
seeing and hearing, and those with hidden disabilities. They also
cover the needs of people with sensory and cognitive impairments.
This checklist is intended to provide you with an overview of
accessibility requirements as outlined by the proposed Accessible
Built Environment Standard (ABES). It is not a comprehensive audit
tool. For details and specific dimensions please refer to the ABES.

3.2.1 Doors and Doorways

Item

Compliance

Is there enough space to

maneuver a wheelchair on
both sides of door?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the door handles

designed so they do not
require tight grasping,
pinching, or twisting at the

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Item
wrist?
Are power door openers
installed on both sides of the
door?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

3.2.2 Washrooms
Item

Compliance

Are the washrooms located

in accessible areas? e.g.
the path to get to the
washroom is barrier free

Yes
No
N/A

Are the washrooms

equipped with power door
openers?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the faucets easy to

operate or automatic? Easy
to operate means that you
can turn them on and off
with a fist.

Yes
No
N/A

Image

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Item
Are there two grab bars, one
behind, and one beside the
toilet at each accessible
stall?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

3.2.3 Exterior Paths

Item

Compliance

Are the exterior paths well

lit?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the exterior paths

unobstructed by changes in
level, build up of snow, ice
and water, or other barriers?

Yes
No
N/A

Are there minimal changes

in level or slopes at stations
and transit stops? (this
does not include marked
ramps with railings)

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

11

3.2.4 Interior Paths

Item

Compliance

Are the interior paths

unobstructed by changes in
level or other barriers?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the floors stable, and

slip resistant?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

12

3.2.5 Ramps and Stairs

Item

Compliance

Are there ramps as an

alternative to stairs when
necessary? The ramps
should be close enough to
the stairs so as to be an
obvious alternative.

Yes
No
N/A

Do the ramps have

handrails?

Yes
No
N/A

Are there handrails on both

sides of stairwells?

Yes
No
N/A

Does each step have nonslip nosing on the edge of

the step which is both a
different colour and texture
than the rest of the step?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

13

3.2.6 Elevators
Item

Compliance

Are there elevators on the

premises that allow access
to each level?

Yes
No
N/A

Do the elevator doors and

doorjambs contrast in colour
to the surrounding wall
surface?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there signage on both

sides of each doorjamb that
indicate the floor level?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there braille provided to

the left of each elevator
button? (generally braille is
provided beneath text, but
elevators are the exception
where the braille should be
on the left)

Yes
No
N/A

Is the elevator equipped with

two-way hands free
communication in case of
emergency?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

14

3.2.7 Escalators
Item

Compliance

Are there escalators on the

premises?

Yes
No
N/A

Are there two flat treads at

the entrance and exit of the
escalator?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there a colour contrast

strip at the edge of each
tread?

Yes
No
N/A

Does the escalator landing

transition have a tactile
walking surface and
contrasting colour?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

15

3.2.8 Rest Areas

Item
Are there rest areas
provided on accessible
paths?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

16

3.3 Payment Systems

3.3.1 Fare System
Item

Compliance

Is there a barrier free fare

system and payment option
available?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there signage to indicate

location of barrier free fare
options and payment
locations?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

17

3.4 Automobile Connections

3.4.1 Parking
Item

Compliance

Is there an accessible path

provided from parking to
building?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the accessible parking

spaces clearly marked on
pavement and with vertical
signage?

Yes
No
N/A

Are at least 5% of all parking

spaces accessible?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

18

3.4.2 Passenger Pick Up/Drop Off

Item
Is there adequate space for
vehicles to pull up out of the
flow of traffic?

Is there an accessible path

from the pick up/drop off
location to the building?
Is there adequate space for
a ramp to be deployed from
the side of a vehicle onto a
landing area?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

Yes
No
N/A
Yes
No
N/A

Comments:

19

3.5 Transit Stop Design

3.5.1 Transit Stop Pole
Item

Compliance

Are the transit stop poles

consistent in location and
design throughout the
system?

Yes
No
N/A

Are transit poles distinctive

in design from other poles
surrounding the transit stop?

Yes
No
N/A

Is signage on the pole

mounted at eye level?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.5.2 Passenger Area

Item
Is there accessible access to
the transit stop?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

20

Item

Compliance

Is the surface flat, stable,

and free of obstructions?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there sufficient space at

the stop for a person using a
wheelchair to rest out of the
flow of pedestrian traffic?

Yes
No
N/A

Is seating provided?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.5.3 Transit Shelter

Item

Compliance

Is the shelter entrance large

enough for easy entrance
and exit?

Yes
No
N/A

Is there sufficient space

inside the shelter for
maneuvering a wheelchair?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

21

Item

Compliance

Image

Comments:

22

3.6 Fleet
3.6.1 In-Transit Information
Item

Compliance

Are all on-board stops

announced in an audible and
visual format?

Yes
No
N/A

Is the on board signage

consistently shaped,
coloured and located
throughout the fleet?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.6.2 General Vehicle Features

Item

Compliance

Are grab bars provided on

board the vehicle?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the floor surfaces on

board the vehicle stable and
slip resistant?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

23

Item
Are the lighting levels on
board sufficient for safety
and visibility?

Compliance
Yes
No
N/A

Does the vehicle have a lift

or a ramp?

Yes
No
N/A

Are there visual and audible

indicators when the ramp/lift
is in use?

Yes
No
N/A

Is at least one rail car per

train accessible to people
using mobility devices such
as wheelchairs or scooters?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.6.3 Seating
Item
Is courtesy seating provided
for people with disabilities
near the entrance of the
vehicle?

Compliance

Image

Yes
No
N/A

24

Item

Compliance

Are there two or more

spaces on the vehicles
allocated for people using
mobility devices?

Yes
No
N/A

Do drivers offer to secure

mobility devices?

Yes
No
N/A

Are securement hooks

available for personal
mobility devices where
appropriate?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

3.6.4 Stop Requests and Emergency Controls

Item

Compliance

Are there accessible

Emergency Response
Controls on vehicles?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the accessible stop

requests and emergency
response controls easily
operated with a closed fist?

Yes
No
N/A

Do the controls contrast in

Yes

Image

25

Item
colour with the surrounding
surfaces?

Compliance
No
N/A

Are the controls mounted

low enough for use in a
seated position?

Yes
No
N/A

Do the controls provide

auditory, tactile and visual
feedback?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

26

3.7 Safety and Security

3.7.1 General Features
Item

Compliance

Are the emergency controls

installed at an accessible
operating height?

Yes
No
N/A

Are the building emergency

exit procedures and maps
easily readable?

Yes
No
N/A

Do emergency response
policies provide for the
safety of people with
disabilities?

Yes
No
N/A

Do the alarm systems have

audible and visual
components (i.e.
stroboscopic lighting)?

Yes
No
N/A

Do the Emergency power

sources allow for the use of
automatic doors and
elevators?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

27

3.7.2 Inclement Weather and Service Disruptions

Item

Compliance

Does your system have an

accessible method to
communicate service
disruptions to riders?

Yes
No
N/A

Does the system employ

provisions to minimize
service disruptions during
inclement weather? i.e.
snow clearing

Yes
No
N/A

Are accessibility concerns

kept in mind during times of
inclement weather?

Yes
No
N/A

Image

Comments:

28