Culture, broadly defined as a collection of attitudes, values, and behaviours, plays a critical role in shaping how societies interact with and support persons with disabilities. Despite its importance, there has been limited research on cultural factors influencing accessibility and inclusion initiatives. This report examines how cultural attitudes influence the effectiveness of policies aimed at improving accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
To achieve this, two key questions were addressed:
- What is culture change and how can it be operationalized for use in the area of accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities in society?
- What data and measures are available to proxy for culture and culture change in domains relevant to persons with disabilities?
A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature, an environmental scan of grey literature and existing data sources, and key informant interviews were conducted. The focus was on jurisdictions with similar economic and social contexts to Canada, such as the UK, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Developing comprehensive frameworks and reliable indicators is crucial for assessing culture change initiatives. These tools can help governments, organizations, and other stakeholders track progress, identify barriers, and refine strategies for improving accessibility and inclusion. This report outlines the importance of accessibility and inclusion and categorizes findings into frameworks, initiatives, and indicators. It concludes with recommendations for future research and practical applications to enhance the culture of accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
