Travel-related barriers encountered by persons with disabilities or long-term conditions, 2025

Release date: May 27, 2025
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Infographic: Travel-related barriers encountered by persons with disabilities or long-term conditions, 2025
Description: Travel-related barriers encountered by persons with disabilities or long-term conditions, 2025

In 2025, over half (52%) of Canadians aged 15 years and over with disabilities or long-term conditions took a trip out of town that involved travel by plane, train, bus or ferry.Note 1Note 2Note 3

  • 47% encountered a barrier at a station or terminal or on board the transportation vehicle.Note 4
    • Those with more severe disabilities or long-term conditions (67%) were more likely to experience a barrier while travelling than those with less severe disabilities or long-term conditions (34%).

Among persons with disabilities or long-term conditions…

  • 38% did not have access to the support services or accommodations they needed during their trip

  • 43% did not know how to request these services or accommodations

  • 32% encountered at least one type of difficulty on board a transportation vehicle because of their condition

    Most common types of difficulties encountered:

    • 43%: Inaccessible or inadequate seating or storage
    • 32%: Inaccessible washrooms
  • 39% encountered at least one type of difficulty at a station or terminal because of their condition

    Most common type of difficulties encountered:

    • 31%: Layout of the station or terminal
    • 30%:  Using the pedestrian paths or sidewalks

Source: Statistics Canada, Survey Series on Accessibility – Experiences with Accessibility and Travel, 2025.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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