NeighbourABLE Vancouver

NeighbourABLE is a 3-year project funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) with the goal of developing a tool that assesses “person-environment fit,” defined as how well housing and neighbourhoods fit the needs of residents with disabilities. The tool will collect important data on housing accessibility needs, which housing providers and researchers can use to promote creation of more accessible and affordable housing. We aim to show policy making bodies strong evidence of needs and clear strategies to support social housing sectors.

Background

Disability is about the fit between people and their environment, not just medical conditions. When homes and neighbourhoods fail to accommodate diverse abilities, individuals lose independence, dignity, and opportunities for socializing, physical activity, and mental well-being. This mismatch creates undue burdens, limiting participation in daily life. In contrast, accessible environments support independence, employment, and reduced care costs. Little research examines how home and neighbourhood environments impact persons with disability experiences (PDE). This gap hinders strategic action for more inclusive communities. To help achieve a barrier-free Canada by 2040, the NeighbourABLE Project will generate evidence to inform policy and action.

Procedure

1. Develop a pilot tool assessing how well housing and neighbourhoods support daily activities for persons with disability experiences.
2. Test this tool with diverse residents in Vancouver and Halifax.
3. Build a stakeholder network to drive policy change using the project’s findings.

Timeline

In summer 2025, members of our team will be piloting this tool to assess a series of person-environment fit with participating individuals. Each assessment will involve a visit to the individuals’ homes by a pair of researchers, who will ask a series of survey questions while going through a checklist of accessible design features both inside (within the unit) and outside (common areas, building entrance, yards, etc.). This visit is expected to take about 2 hours per participant.

Future directions

Beyond research, this initiative will equip organizations to advocate effectively and train students as future leaders in accessibility, planning, and policy. By uniting researchers, governments, and community groups, the NeighbourAble Project will strengthen the movement toward more inclusive and equitable neighbourhoods.