Accessible Housing

Accessibility and accommodations give people an unfair advantage.

Let’s bust this myth!

Accessibility measures and accommodations aren’t designed to give someone an advantage. They’re designed to remove barriers that others may never encounter.

A ramp doesn’t give a wheelchair user an advantage over someone using stairs. Captions don’t give Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals an advantage over those who can hear. Flexible work arrangements don’t give someone with a disability an advantage over their colleagues.

They create access.

The goal isn’t to make things easier for some people. The goal is to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed.

Equality means giving everyone the same thing.

Equity means recognizing that people have different needs and ensuring they have what they need to thrive.

When we view accessibility as an unfair advantage, we often overlook the barriers that made those accommodations necessary in the first place.

Accessibility isn’t about special treatment.
It’s about creating a level playing field.

NEW BLOG POST!

Why Your Voice Matters: Participating in the National Housing Council’s Review Panel on the Lack of Accessible Housing in Canada

Why Your Voice Matters: Participating in the National Housing Council’s Review Panel on the Lack of Accessible Housing in Canada - Accessible Housing Calgary Why Your Voice Matters: Participating in the National Housing Council’s Review Panel on the Lack of Accessible Housing in Canada The National Housing Council is an advisory body that promotes participation and inclusion in the development of Canada’s housing policy. They provide advice to Can....

Bruce Johnson had a voice, and he tried to use it. He advocated not only for himself, but for others living with disabilities who worried about their future. His story is a heartbreaking reminder that behind every policy are real people with real lives.

Accessibility is never a one-size-fits-all solution. People with disabilities face different barriers, different abilities to work, and different housing and support needs. Policies designed without recognizing those differences can have unintended consequences for financial security, independence, and quality of life.

As Alberta transitions from AISH to ADAP, we encourage thoughtful, informed dialogue grounded in facts and lived experience. Understanding how changes affect someone's ability to pay for housing, transportation, food, healthcare, and daily living is essential to creating truly inclusive communities.

We encourage Albertans to review the available information, explore the government's income calculators, ask questions, and engage in respectful conversations. The voices of people with disabilities must remain at the center of decisions that affect their lives.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/man-dies-by-suicide-after-expressing-fears-over-alberta-disability-transition/

Too often, accessibility is treated as a checklist or a single solution, as if one accommodation will work for everyone. The reality is that accessibility is not one size fits all.

Every person experiences the world differently. What removes a barrier for one individual may create a barrier for another. That's why accessibility requires flexibility, not assumptions.

The goal should always be universal design, designing with inclusion in mind and recognizing when individualized accommodations are still needed.

The most important experts are the people with lived experience. By listening, learning, and engaging with people with disabilities, we move beyond assumptions and toward solutions that truly work.

Accessibility isn't about fitting people into one solution. It's about creating solutions that fit people.

Join Our Board. Help Build a More Accessible Future.

Accessible Housing is seeking passionate volunteer Board Directors to help guide our mission of creating inclusive, accessible housing and communities.

We're especially looking for individuals with experience in:
⚖️ Legal
👥 Human Resources
🏛️ Governance Leadership
🏗️ Land & Property Development

If you're ready to use your expertise to make a meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply: accessiblehousing.ca/our-team-board/

NEW BLOG POST

What could Alberta’s transition from AISH to ADAP mean for people with disabilities?

What Alberta’s Transition from AISH to ADAP Could Mean for Albertans with Disabilities - Accessible Housing Calgary What Alberta’s Transition from AISH to ADAP Could Mean for Albertans with Disabilities For many Albertans with disabilities, housing is about far more than having a roof overhead.It is about safety, independence, stability, and the ability to fully participate in communitylife. That is why Albert....

June is Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, a time to recognize the strength, resilience, and achievements of individuals living with these conditions while raising awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

For many people with spina bifida or hydrocephalus, having a safe, accessible, and affordable home is essential to living independently and participating fully in their communities. Accessible housing is more than a place to live, it’s the foundation for opportunity, dignity, and quality of life.

We are proud to work with individuals, families, advocates, and organizations working to break down barriers and create communities where everyone can thrive.

Let’s build a future where accessibility is not an afterthought but a standard.

Accessiblehousing.ca

Yesterday we had the pleasure of hosting Engaging In Accessibility! Thank you Alberta Real Estate Foundation for sponsoring this incredible opportunity to gather together with industry professionals and share how we all can work together for a more accessible Calgary!

Thank you to our fabulous speakers, Marti Bogue with Adaptable Living and Tolu Enaibe

Photography by Mason Marriott
Thanks for the great photos!