Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians have one or more disabilities [1]. The WHO reports 16 per cent of the world population (> 1.3 billion people) experience significant disability [2]. The proportion of those living with a disability is increasing, partly due to the aging population. In major areas of social participation, persons with disabilities face significant barriers to access and support.
The design and delivery of environments, products, and services, with an inclusive approach that “bakes-in” accessibility from the start, will produce more innovative, resilient, and useable outputs. As disability-related stigma, bias, and ableism still prevail in our society, it is important to integrate disability and accessibility knowledge and awareness into existing academic programs.
The Specialization in Accessibility is a unique multidisciplinary education experience that facilitates the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes for building an accessible and inclusive society. Carleton University is recognized as a prominent organization in accessibility, including its Accessibility Institute and leadership with the Canadian Accessibility Network.
[1] Statistics Canada, A demographic, employment and income profile of Canadians with disabilities aged 15 years and over, 2017, Cat. No. 89-654-X2018002, November 2018.
[2] World Health Organization, Disability, Fact Sheet, March 7, 2023.
Capital Advantage
Our program capitalizes on Carleton’s unique location in the National Capital Region (NCR), which includes a diversity of government, industry, and not-for-profit organizations that are active in the area of accessibility.
Application Information
Applicants wishing to apply to the Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility must indicate this in their application(s) to the participating program(s).
Applicants interested in applying to the Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility after beginning their program can consult with their participating program for more information.
Participating Programs
M.A. Anthropology with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A.Sc. Biomedical Engineering with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.Eng. Biomedical Engineering with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
Master of Design with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
Master of Entrepreneurship – Technology Innovation Management with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Geography with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.Sc. Health Sciences with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.Sc. Health: Science, Technology and Policy with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. History with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
Master of Human-Computer Interaction with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Legal Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Music and Culture with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.Sc. Neuroscience with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Political Economy with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Sociology with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility
M.A. Women’s and Gender Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Accessibility