Discover IDRC’s contributions to advancing inclusive standards through draft standards, technical specifications, committees and frameworks. Explore how our initiatives support global committees in shaping standards for accessible and equitable practices.
CAN-ASC-6.2:2025- Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems
Canada’s new national standard for accessible and equitable AI
The Inclusive Design Research Centre has played a central role in shaping Canada’s leadership in responsible AI. IDRC drafted the new national standard CAN‑ASC‑6.2:2025 Accessible and Equitable Artificial Intelligence Systems, with Director Jutta Treviranus chairing the technical committee that developed the final version and staff member, Lisa Liskovoi chairing the AI task force as well as facilitating the technical committee.
Published in December 2025, this standard establishes Canada’s first comprehensive requirements for AI systems that are inclusive, transparent, and equitable — especially for people who are most often marginalized by data-driven technologies. It is now publicly available through Accessibility Standards Canada, offering guidance for governments, developers, and organizations committed to building AI that serves all Canadians.
Trust Meter
IDRC is working with stakeholders to develop a new Technical Specification for Standards Council of Canada (SCC) called Trust Meter.
The Trust Meter Technical Specification will support development of an inclusive and balanced data environment, beginning with persons with disabilities and extending to other marginalized groups. The Trust Meter Technical Specification outlines the requirements for notifying AI systems operators when the scenario, group or individual about whom the AI-based decision is made, is out-of-distribution relative to the training set the model is trained on. In such cases, the AI is unreliable to make these decisions.
The Trust Meter project is being advanced under SCC’s AI and Data Governance (AIDG) Program. For more information about this project, please contact Vera Roberts (vroberts@ocadu.ca).
Equitable Communications Draft Standard
We’re worked with Canadian Association of the Deaf and the Canadian Communication Access Alliance to prepare a draft standard for Equitable Communication that may be used by an Accessibility Standards Canada technical committee to develop a full standard for public review. Contact Vera Roberts (vroberts@ocadu.ca) to learn more about this work.
Emergency Measures Draft Standard
We prepared a draft standard for Emergency Measures that may be used by an Accessibility Standards Canada technical committee to develop a full standard for public review. Contact Jess Mitchell (jmitchell@ocadu.ca) to learn more about this work.
Autism Framework for Standards Development
We’re working with Autism Alliance of Canada to develop an Autism Framework that can be use by standards development committees so that they can better consider the needs of Autistic people in their standards.