National AccessAbility Week – Message from the Chair

May 29, 2026 – Gatineau, QC – Canadian Transportation Agency

As the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) marks National AccessAbility Week, I am proud to reflect on the progress we have made together and on the work that continues to guide us toward a barrier-free national transportation system.

This week is a reminder that accessibility is not a single project or milestone. It is an ongoing commitment. One rooted in human rights, strengthened by partnerships, and advanced through shared determination across industry, government, and communities.

Two years ago, the CTA set three important goals for itself with respect to accessibility in the federal transportation network, based on the most significant issues observed: reducing the damage to and breaking of mobility aids during transport, improving the training of transportation service providers employees, and promoting a consistent accessible air travel network for passengers internationally.

Advancing Mobility aid related issues through collaboration

Over the past year, the CTA’s Canadian Mobility Aid Working Group has made significant strides in bringing industry, experts, and persons living with a disability together to address one of the significant challenges in accessible travel: the safe transport of mobility aids. The group’s collaborative work has deepened our collective understanding of equipment needs, handling practices, and training gaps, helping build a clearer path toward solutions that reduce damage, improve communication, and support passenger independence.

One concrete example of this type of collaborative work is the development of a job aid tool. It was designed to support airlines and ground handlers in the safe and secure handling of mobility aids during air travel and is a proactive step toward enhancing the travel experience for persons living with a disability. We were rather pleased to hear that our Accessibility Advisory Committee observed important progress on that front during our last committee meeting earlier this year.

Building capacity

Another major step taken toward an accessible national transportation system has been the development of training tools. Equipping transportation service providers with standardized tools, best practices, and scenario based learning resources, strengthens frontline training across all modes of transportation.

Contributing to international progress

Accessibility is global, and the CTA is proud to contribute to the international landscape through its work on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s accessibility strategy. By sharing Canadian experience and aligning with international partners, we are helping shape a framework that raises standards worldwide, and ensures that air travel evolves in a way that reflects equity, safety, and universal inclusion.

Finally, as my term as Chair & CEO of the CTA comes to an end, I would like to extend my gratitude to the disability community, to transportation service providers, to our partners across Canada and around the world, and to the dedicated staff of the CTA. I am very proud of what we have accomplished these past five years and am looking forward to seeing continued progress as a result of the CTA’s work.

France Pégeot
Chair & CEO of the Canadian Transportation Agency