The Transit Accessibility Scorecard evaluates how well transit systems meet the needs of riders who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision and identifies opportunities for improvement.
It was developed by CNIB through extensive consultation with people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, along with rehabilitation professionals, transit experts, accessibility specialists, and researchers. These conversations helped identify the barriers riders encounter when using public transit and shape the criteria the Scorecard uses to evaluate a transit system’s accessibility.
How the Scorecard works
The Transit Accessibility Scorecard looks at the entire rider journey, from planning a trip to arriving at a destination. It evaluates transit systems across multiple categories and more than 35 accessibility criteria including:
- Wayfinding and navigation
- Information and communication
- Digital tools and technology
- Transit stops and stations
- Vehicle accessibility
- Safety and customer experience
- General accessibility policies and practices
The result is a clear, data-informed assessment of a transit system’s accessibility performance, helping transit authorities understand what's working well and where improvements can be made.
The findings can then be used to inform future investments and operational decisions, identify practical ways to improve service for riders with disabilities, and strengthen accountability and transparency.
Participating transit authorities
The Transit Accessibility Scorecard was piloted with transit agencies from across Canada, helping CNIB test and refine the tool in real-world settings. Through a series of guided workshops, transit authorities used the Scorecard to evaluate their accessibility performance.
Participating transit authorities to date have included:
- TransLink – Vancouver, British Columbia
- Edmonton Transit Service – Edmonton, Alberta
- Winnipeg Transit – Winnipeg, Manitoba
- OC Transpo – Ottawa, Ontario
- Exo – Montréal, Quebec
- Metrobus – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Looking ahead
CNIB continues to refine and expand the Transit Accessibility Scorecard based on feedback from transit partners and community members. Additional transit authorities are participating in future pilot phases, while a rider survey is being used alongside to capture the lived experiences of people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision in the same categories.
Get involved
CNIB welcomes participation from transit authorities who are interested in completing the Transit Accessibility Scorecard, and you can express your interest by emailing advocacy@cnib.ca.
If you are a rider who would like to share their experiences of the accessibility of their public transit, please complete our rider survey.
By working together, we can build a future where every transit journey is safe, equitable, and accessible for everyone.