HIDDEN MOBILITY DISABILITIES ALLIANCE

This project, sponsored by the Hidden Mobility Disabilities Alliance and funded by Accessibility Standards Canada, explored possible changes to federal accessibility standards needed to address an often overlooked area of disability - that of limited mobility (hidden mobility disabilities, HMD), or the ability to walk independently but no more than a short distance (15 meters) and to stand unsupported but only for a brief time (1-2 minutes). Limited mobility affects 13 percent of Canadians over 15, or over 4 million Canadians. To date, no accessibility standards have addressed distance to be walked or time standing unsupported as access barriers... Unfortunately, the lack of awareness of distance as an access barrier sometimes extends to people with limited mobility themselves. All too often they allow themselves to be pressured into walking further than is healthy for them ("It's just over there - not far"), not aware that pushing themselves to walk or stand longer than is..

Also known as: HMD Project