Accessible Procurement Research Project
Project Summary
The Accessible Procurement Research Project (APRP), conducted by Adaptability Canada in collaboration with the Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada (IWSCC), the Accessibility Institute at Carleton University, and Ernst & Young (EY), explores the systemic barriers preventing people with disabilities and disabled-owned businesses from fully participating in procurement processes. The research, conducted from January 2022 to December 2024, identifies key challenges, organizational resistance, and potential solutions to foster an inclusive procurement environment in Canada.
Key Findings
Barriers for Disabled-Owned Businesses
- Procurement processes are overly complex, making participation difficult for disabled entrepreneurs.
- Regulatory constraints and a lack of awareness prevent businesses from accessing opportunities.
- A Statistics Canada Survey in early 2025 reveals that 2.5% of private sector businesses in Canada – more than 25,000 companies – are majority-owned by people with disabilities, yet fewer than 50 majority Disabled-Owned businesses are certified to participate in supplier diversity programs which results in a negligible share of public and corporate spending.
- Procurement documents and digital platforms frequently lack accessibility features, further limiting engagement.
Organizational Resistance to Change
- Procurement policies are highly regulated and risk-averse, creating barriers to innovation.
- Accessibility is often viewed as a technology compliance issue rather than a strategic priority.
- Concerns over trade agreements and legal obligations discourage organizations from modifying procurement practices.
Supplier Diversity and Inclusion Gaps
- While Supplier Diveristy is well-developed for women-owned and Indigenous businesses, Disabled-Owned businesses remain overlooked.
- Most organizations lack policies and accountability measures for including disabled suppliers.
- International best practices, such as Australia’s Indigenous Procurement policy, offer potential models for Canada to adapt.
A Call to Action
To drive meaningful change, the report urges government and corporations to:
- Establish clear accessibility standards for procurement.
- Simplify procurement processes to remove unnecessary barriers.
- Strengthen supplier diversity policies in alignment with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA).
Conclusion
Barriers for Disabled-Owned Businesses
The APRP highlights systemic procurement barriers that disadvantage disabled suppliers and people with disabilities inside the procurement organization. Achieving truly accessible procurement requires a shift in policies, corporate commitment, and industry-wide education. Organizations must take proactive steps to integrate accessibility in procurement, fostering a more inclusive and equitable economy. The report urges stakeholders to act now, ensuring procurement processes work for all Canadians, including those with disabilities.
Project Partners
Adaptability Canada is a leading full-service firm serving the Canadian market for inclusive design and accessibility solutions for large organizations with diverse stakeholders and complex real estate portfolios. We have gained a national reputation with our proprietary inclusive design methodology and our ability to solve complex accessibility challenges.
Adaptability Canada is a disabled-owned company certified with the Inclusive Workplace & Supply Council of Canada with over half of its employees, including the CEO, identifying as having lived experience of disability.
The Accessibility Institute continues Carleton University’s commitment to advancing accessibility across disciplines and sectors toward a world that is fully inclusive and accessible for all, starting with people with disabilities.
We bring together expertise, resources, and leadership into collaborations with individuals and organizations on initiatives that span across key areas of societal impact, in education, research, employment, policy, technology, services, and community engagement.
At EY, our purpose is Building a better working world. The insights and quality services we provide help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
As a global organization, EY has an opportunity to address the impact of inequities and injustice, and push for progress within EY and beyond. We commit to advance social equity and inclusive growth and stand against injustice, bias, discrimination and racism.