This infographic presents key findings on the experiences of Canadians with disabilities or long-term conditions aged 15 years and over as they navigate accessibility related to transportation while traveling.
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. 1, 2, 3
- 47% encountered a barrier at a station or terminal or on board the transportation vehicle. 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 types 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.
Notes
- The population covered by the Survey Series on Accessibility – Experiences with Accessibility and Travel (SSA-EAT) comprised those who participated in the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability and who agreed to participate in future surveys. A series of screening questions was asked in the SSA-EAT to confirm a disability or long-term condition among participants. Only those who had a disability or long-term condition at the time of collection were surveyed.
- Respondents were asked whether they had taken a trip out of town since January 2022 and encountered any barriers.
- Estimates in this infographic include non-response cases and may differ from estimates in other similar Statistics Canada products.
- “Station or terminal” refers to the airport, train station, bus terminal or ferry terminal, while “transportation vehicle” refers to a plane, train, bus or ferry.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).