CanDO + NCC - Inclusive Trail Mapping
Since September 2023, the CanDO Society has been collaborating with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to make outdoor spaces more accessible for everyone—particularly people with disabilities. Our shared goal is simple but powerful: to ensure that more individuals can explore the trails with confidence, independence, and the information they need to make decisions for themselves.
This project takes a two-pronged approach. First, we’ve been working closely with the NCC to provide practical recommendations for improving trails and infrastructure. But the cornerstone of our efforts lies in something even more fundamental: information.
Too often, accessibility is treated as a checkbox—some trails labeled “universally accessible,” while the rest remain a mystery. That’s not good enough. We knew from personal experience and feedback from our community that many of the NCC's trails were actually suitable for disabled users—but no one knew which ones, or what conditions to expect. At the time, only two trails were listed as “universally accessible” on the NCC’s website, with no further details available.
We set out to change that.
The main outcome of our collaboration is an interactive online trail map, set to launch in time for the 2025 hiking season. This map is designed for all users—disabled and non-disabled alike—and it goes far beyond basic descriptions. It includes comprehensive, objective data on:
Surface material
Maximum and average slope
Trail width and total length
Elevation profiles
Accessible infrastructure (benches, picnic areas, outhouses, and parking)
By offering this level of detail, we’re putting the decision-making power back where it belongs: in the hands of the user. Whether someone uses a wheelchair, a cane, a stroller, or simply wants to avoid steep terrain, they’ll have the tools to choose the right trail for their needs.
This enhanced mapping tool is currently in development and we’re excited to launch it by the end of May—just in time to hit the trails. You can find the latest presentation from NCC on this project in this presentation from the 2024 Board of Directors Meeting
At CanDO, we believe that access begins with information. We’re proud to help build a more inclusive outdoors, one step (and one trail) at a time.