The 2024 Progress Report for the 2023–2025 Accessibility Plan is based on our commitment at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) to human rights and the fundamental principle that we are all born free and equal in dignity and rights. Our obligations under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) provide a framework to identify and eliminate barriers to accessibility so we can prevent and actively address discrimination against persons with disabilities. This plan captures accessibility at the CMHR today and our way forward: the work we have done, the work we are doing, and the work we intend to do. We will review and update this plan regularly in the spirit of consultation, collaboration, and maintaining a good relationship with our community. 

We welcome input and feedback about accessibility at the CMHR and this plan. Feedback can be submitted anonymously to:

Kimberley Levasseur Puhach

Vice‐President, People, Culture and Growth
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
info@humanrights.ca
85 Israel Asper Way Winnipeg, MB R3C 0L5
Phone: 204–289‑2000
Toll‐free: 1–877–877‑6037
TTY: 204–289‑2050

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights was designed based on the principle of providing universal access to its experiences, regardless of age, background, or ability. Inclusion has been a methodology, and accessibility is an outcome. From the outset, our built design, exhibitions, and all aspects of operations have been informed by the Smithsonian guidelines for inclusive and accessible design and those implemented by other leaders in our sector, including the Musée de la civilisation in Québec City and the Science Museum in London, England. We also adhere to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) web‐based accessibility standards and the most stringent criteria under both the provincial and national building codes. Based on the principle of “nothing without us,” we have worked with people with disabilities and experts in all aspects of our work, including an internal staff group, a community Accessibility Assembly, and community organizations and public entities actively engaged in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and human rights as a whole across the country. 

This is our progress report based on our Accessibility Plan created in 2023. It details our progress on the initial goals we shared to improve accessibility at the Museum as well as new initiatives that are part of our overall goal of continuous improvements to reach accessibility and inclusion excellence.

Our 2023–2025 goals include:

• Develop Level 1 event space accessible exit and access plans in 2024–25
• Identify “quiet spaces” for neurodivergent visitors in the Museum
• Continue gender‐inclusive washroom renovations in 2024–25, starting with Level 1
• Review and revise human resources and procurement policies in 2024–25 to be more inclusive
• Provide accessibility training for all teams who work directly with visitors
• Enhance software accessibility and create standards for their use
• Create an inventory of accessible technologies and share accessibility information proactively
• Review and revise procurement policy in 2024–25, with a new procurement specialist on staff

This plan is a living document and will be updated at the end of each calendar year. After a decade of operations, our priority continues to be to build a team that is representative of the community. Another priority is to have a comprehensive, ongoing audit and assessment process that ensures that our workplace is inclusive and that the experiences we provide to the public remain an unparalleled visitor experience for all.

The CMHR’s mandate is to explore human rights in Canada and beyond to enhance the public’s understanding of human rights, promote respect for others, and encourage reflection and dialogue. Located in Winnipeg, on Treaty One Territory at the crossroads of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and in the birthplace of the Métis, the CMHR continues to be a gathering place dedicated to the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights.

As with all of Canada’s national museums, the CMHR plays an essential role in:

• Preserving and promoting our heritage at home and abroad
• Contributing to the collective memory and sense of identity of all Canadians
• Being a source of inspiration, research, learning, and entertainment that belongs to all Canadians

This plan captures our universal design approach to ensure every person can join us on our journey of creating a world where everyone values the importance of human rights and takes responsibility for promoting respect and dignity for all.

You can request alternative formats of this plan and a description of our feedback process by contacting the primary contact of this plan. The Museum commits to providing the following alternative formats within 15 – 45 business days of receiving a request for them:

• Print: 45 days
• Large print (increased font size): 15 days
• Braille: 45 days

The following definitions apply throughout this plan:

• Disability: Any impairment or difference in physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, or communication ability. Disabilities can be permanent or temporary and can change over time.
• Barrier: Anything that might hinder full and equal participation by people with disabilities. Barriers can be architectural, technological, attitudinal, based on information or communications, or the result of a policy or procedure.
• Accessibility: The design of products, devices, services, environments, technologies, policies, and rules in a way that allows all people, including people with a variety of disabilities, to access them.

One of our event spaces on Level 1 lacks an accessible exit, limiting the ability for individuals using mobility devices to evacuate that space easily in case of an emergency. We identified this issue in 2023 and had the space assessed by a contractor in 2024. We are currently budgeting to have this space retrofit in 2026. 

The Museum relies on a variety of sensory experiences to bring its human rights stories and programming to life. Feedback from our visitors suggests that, at times, this experience can be over‐stimulating. In 2024, we identified specific locations within the Museum that can serve as ‘Quieter Spaces’ for visitors who are neurodivergent or who may benefit from a more private and calmer setting. These spaces, identified by staff who support visitors, event planning, and management, are now itemized in a shared list that is accessible to all staff should a visitor request a quieter area during their visit. 

Inside the Museum, all washrooms are gender‐inclusive. The washrooms on Levels 1 through 3 and Levels 5 through 7 include at least one large, barrier‐free, single‐room washroom. In 2023–24, we developed plans to renovate all gender‐inclusive washrooms to provide greater privacy, and in 2024, we added privacy screens to the main Level 1 washroom. Renovations on all levels will be phased through 2025–26, and beyond. This includes improving the access to sensory faucets inside single‐room washrooms. 

The single‐room washroom behind the Level 1 Coat Check is equipped with an adult‐sized change table and motorized transfer lift. Future renovations to this space will include relocating the keypad for the adult change table to ensure it is accessible to individuals in seated positions. All other single‐room washrooms are equipped with baby change tables. 

Motorized and manual chairs as well as scooters are available to visitors free of charge and can be booked in advance when planning a tour or visit, on‐site on a first‐come, first‐served basis at the Level 1 Coat Check. 

Wayfinding signage throughout the building is also in braille. All galleries can be accessed through a series of inclined ramps with resting spots at regular intervals or by an elevator with audio announcements, braille, and floor markers that stops at all gallery levels 2 through 7. An additional Tower Elevator serves Levels 3 through 8. 

All of our theatres and exhibitions with seating offer a choice of bench seating and seating with backs and arms, and ample space to move around is built into the design of all galleries and exhibitions. However, we have received feedback that during events, there is often a need for more accessible seating or areas where the view of the stage is not obstructed. We will prioritize arranging adequate accessible seating areas during museum programs and events and within our temporary exhibits in 2025. 

We have identified that the intercom available in the Group Entrance is not easily available to those using mobility devices, and an additional paving stone is required at that entrance point.

We strive to have a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and whose stories are shared within our exhibitions.

In 2024, we reviewed recruitment and job competition policies and identified a need for more specialized assistance with recruitment. In 2025, we will consult with an outside organization to support this goal and will layer in intersectional consideration of how to remove barriers experienced by members of other equity‐seeking groups.

We continue to have a flexible work model that actively offers accommodation during recruitment, onboarding, and throughout employment. All human resources staff are trained to support management in responding to requests for accommodation on the basis of disability and other grounds protected by legislation.

Mandatory onboarding training is provided to all staff on the Accessibility for Manitobans Act Customer Service Standards, Unconscious Bias, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Training, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, and Gender‐Based Analysis, along with other industry‐specific training.

Throughout 2024, we held regular onsite accessibility consultations and training with our staff who work directly with visitors.

A Braille Gallery Guide is available upon request at the Ticketing and Information Desk. It contains tactile maps of the galleries with English and French braille.

We have identified the need to assess and update technologies on an ongoing basis, including regularly reviewing our Universal Access Points (UAP) and Universal Keypads (UKP). In 2025, we are reviewing a plan to digitize all accessibility content and make it available on iPads or similar devices.

Administrative staff and other select staff groups receive training on creating accessible documents and presentations, and in 2024, we held a specialized training session on Microsoft Teams applications using a screen reader and screen reader technology. Creating documents that are accessible is the standard for all official external and internal documents that are used widely at the Museum.

We have identified the need to review and revise our current procurement policy to strengthen expectations and accountabilities around ethical and inclusive business practices and to assess other barriers that may prevent access for persons with disabilities and others. In 2024, we began this work by reviewing our policy. Updates and/or amendments to the policy will be implemented in 2025. 

In 2024, we developed a process and consulted with a wide range of people with disabilities to review and provide feedback on a new product that would be made available to visitors of the Museum prior to its purchase. This process will continue to guide procurement decisions that may impact potential visitors and staff of CMHR.

To mark the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3rd, the Museum holds a public event in partnership with People First of Manitoba to share wisdom and the history of disability rights in Canada.

All exhibits, educational programming, and events consider accessibility in their design. In‐person and virtual programs typically include ASL interpretation and/or captioning. The Accessibility Assembly regularly reviews the Museum’s ceremonies, events, and online experiences, offering valuable feedback to enhance accessibility and inclusivity. Their insights shape improvements to ensure programs meet the needs of all visitors.

We do not provide transportation but do support visitors on arrival and departure. The CMHR has an Accessible Drop‐Off Entrance that allows individuals to be dropped off close to the main entry doors. There are four accessible parking stalls adjacent to the Accessible Drop‐Off Entrance, as well as additional accessible parking along Israel Asper Way. All three main entrances to the building (Group Entrance, Main Entrance, and Accessible Drop‐Off Entrance) have an intercom system that enables visitors to connect with security if they require assistance.

In 2024, we improved our process for consulting with people with disabilities by creating and supporting an Accessibility Assembly comprising members of the disability community. This group includes individuals with a range of disabilities, including blind, deaf, neurodivergent, and physical impairments, including wheelchair users. Additionally, this group includes members of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities and spans a wide range of ages, from youth to elders.

This assembly meets regularly to review ceremonies, events, and online experiences hosted by the Museum. They provide targeted feedback and insights on important improvements to the visitor experience through meetings, surveys, and a final report that lists all specific improvements.

The CMHR also regularly conducts accessibility audits of the Museum, including audits of new and temporary exhibits like “Beyond the Beat” and the Pop‐Up Boutique. This ongoing commitment has provided comprehensive and nuanced information that enhances our ability to better serve the disability community and, consequently, the broader public.

We have had the privilege of collaborating with representatives from local organizations, such as the Arts Accessibility Network of Manitoba, People First of Manitoba, the crew from ‘Crip Trip’ and Manitoba Possible, including young adults and parents with children. Between July and September 2024, we held tours with five individuals and groups to provide feedback on the overall accessibility of the Museum. To ensure equitable participation, the Museum continues to provide a range of supports, including ASL interpreters, honouraria, and braille materials.

On our website, we openly invite the public to share comments and concerns with us through the “Report a Website Accessibility Issue” and “Report an In‐Museum Accessibility Issue” buttons, which direct people to the info@humanrights.ca email for a response from the Museum team.

We strengthened our feedback process in 2024 through clear and regular communication with staff regarding the internal process and improved understanding of how feedback on accessibility is provided. This feedback process has yielded several suggestions from the community.

Accessibility feedback in 2024 includes (by topic):

• Seating arrangements — Concerns raised about the lack of accessible seating for events, especially for individuals with mobility issues.
• Access - Challenges with display tables, payment stations, and washroom facilities were reported by wheelchair users.
• Non‐verbal communication — Suggestions to normalize and utilize non‐verbal forms of communication in exhibits, including the use of symbols and images.
• Accessible washrooms — Specific issues with the sensor‐based faucets in single‐user washrooms, making them difficult to use for individuals in wheelchairs.

We have acknowledged this feedback and corrected issues immediately whenever possible. If more planning was necessary, we have incorporated them into our work plans for 2025 or 2026. These plans are described in this progress report. 

The Museum continues to value this feedback from the public and staff to make informed decisions on our Path Forward. We are committed to being a ‘Place of Choice’ for the community and we recognize that each step we take to enhance accessibility is a move toward realizing the fundamental human right where a person can navigate the world freely and be in relationship with others. It’s about creating spaces that consider intersecting factors of race, sexuality, gender expression, disability, and other aspects of identity, ensuring that accessibility is both comprehensive and equitable.