The world, in its current state, was not designed with everyone in mind. For the millions of individuals living with disabilities, navigating a city or attending a major event isn't just a matter of showing up—it is a complex logistical challenge.
Maayan Ziv, a Toronto- based life-long wheelchair user and disability advocate, is working to change that narrative. Through her app, AccessNow, Ziv is building a global movement that celebrates inclusion by connecting people to welcoming places, ensuring that access is a right, not a luxury.
Disability in Canada
To understand the necessity of Ziv’s work, one must look at the sheer scale of the community. In 2022, approximately 8 million persons in Canada aged 15 and older—roughly 27% of the population—had a disability. This represents a significant increase from 2017, when the rate was 22%.
These people face many different hurdles. Statistics show:
- 4.7 million people have mild disabilities.
- 3.3 million people have severe disabilities.
- 71% of this group deal with two or more disability types at once.
Common issues include pain, mobility, and mental health.
Even with these high numbers, barriers are everywhere. Recently, 72% of Canadians with disabilities hit obstacles in public areas, online, or in how others treated them.
The Hidden "Planning Tax"
As festival season arrives for events like Osheaga or VELD, Ziv notes that the biggest hurdle isn’t the ticket price, but rather the “planning tax.” People without disabilities can easily go to a show on a whim, but those with disabilities must spend hours on logistics. They have to apply for access programs, find transportation, and study venue maps, which in turn ruins the fun and limits freedom.
AccessNow helps ease these barriers. The app lets users:
- Search: Look for spots with specific features.
- Rate: Give reviews to help the community.
- Discover: Find accessible places nearby.
“Too often, accessibility is treated as a box to check. The result is a cycle of retrofits where people with disabilities are accommodated, but not fully included,” said Ziv.
“AccessFest was created to challenge that: to show what’s possible when accessibility leads, not follows, and to set a new standard for what inclusive experiences can look like.”
Closing the Infrastructure Gap
There is a big difference between basic tools and true inclusion. Many festivals now use ramps or trained staff, but Ziv says a gap remains between "helping" someone and actually including them.
Data shows we need better design. Roughly 56% of Canadians with disabilities face barriers in public. Common problems include:
- Wait lines: These affect 31.1% of people.
- Doors: 19.4% have trouble entering or exiting.
- Sidewalks: 24.4% face issues generally, which rises to 36.3% during winter.
Ziv’s firm consults with groups to create custom programs that focus on dignity to ensure every guest feels like a real participant.
Bridging the Research Gap in Air Travel
Maayan’s advocacy for the community extends beyond her app and into critical research. She recently took part in a collaborative research project with Muscular Dystrophy Canada and partners from the University Health Network and Holland Bloorview. This research specifically showcased the daunting challenges disabled people face in air travel, a sector where 63% of Canadians with disabilities encounter significant barriers.
Reflecting on the importance of this collaboration, Maayan shared: “When the community comes together, we can make real change happen. Proud to have been a mobilizer and collaborator in this research to showcase the challenges disabled people face in air travel.”
Better Design for All
We need to change how we view "normal" design. Ziv proves that when we build for accessibility, everyone wins. Whether it is a festival or a government site where 1 in 10 people hit barriers, the goal is a smooth experience. By mapping the world, Ziv isn't just showing what is broken; she is giving us the map to fix it.
A Powerful Partnership: Technology and Advocacy
Creating a truly inclusive world requires a two-pronged approach. While AccessNow the power of information directly into the hands of users, Canadian charities provide the essential framework to support those users. These organizations work on the ground to provide transit, home modifications, and legal advocacy.
When we use Ziv’s app, we navigate the world as it is; when we support charities, we fund the world as it should be. Charities bridge that gap by offering peer support and helping people navigate complex federal benefits, ensuring no one is left behind.
To find and support organizations dedicated to these shared goals, you can explore this curated list of charities focused on disabilities and accessibility.
