By: Kat Hamilton
In the fall 2025, CNIB launched the pilot phase of its Transit Accessibility Scorecard, a first-of-its-kind tool designed to evaluate how well transit systems across Canada meet the needs of riders who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. Four transit authorities including Exo in Montreal, OC Transpo in Ottawa, TransLink in Vancouver, and Metrobus in St. John’s, participated in the initial rollout, providing insights into what’s working and where there are opportunities to improve the accessibility of their transit systems.
The development of the Transit Accessibility Scorecard began in 2023 and was rooted in collaboration and lived experience from the outset. The project was shaped through a comprehensive consultation strategy involving people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, vision loss rehabilitation professionals, transit industry experts, and accessibility researchers. These consultations helped define what truly makes transit accessible, informed by real-world challenges and best practices.
The team mapped out the rider journey from trip planning to boarding and arrival at the destination and identified common accessibility barriers. This groundwork shaped the evaluation categories and criteria, which were then refined through feedback sessions and workshops. Several industry partners also weighed in to ensure the scorecard was both practical and measurable.
Feedback from the transit authorities that participated in the pilot was positive. Many highlighted its potential as both a benchmarking tool and a roadmap for improvement. Transit authorities also valued the clarity of the scoring system because it helped them to identify priority areas and strategically allocate resources. Importantly, transit leaders saw the scorecard as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue with the disability community, ensuring that accessibility remains central to planning and decision-making.
Next Steps
We’re refining the transit scorecard based on feedback from the pilot, and we plan to roll it out to 10 more transit authorities in 2026. We’re also exploring ways to collaborate with other disability communities, so the next iteration of the scorecard reflects accessibility requirements beyond sight loss.
We’re also launching a rider scorecard across Canada, which will allow us to compare the transit authority’s score with riders’ experiences, helping us to build a more complete picture of how the transit authority is doing in terms of accessibility.
Our goal is simple: empower providers to make informed decisions that ensure every rider can travel safely, confidently, and independently.