Accessibility Services, Supports and Formats

2.0 Title of the ACAN # HICC/LICC 2026/2027 PS6322 Accessibility Services, Supports and Formats

2.1 Purpose of the ACAN Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (the “Client”) is seeking a Firm (the “Firm”) to provide a range of accessibility services, supports and alternative formats upon request, to support the activities of the National Housing Council (NHC). These services include but are not limited to: • Simultaneous and retrospective accessibility translation services (e.g., LSQ, ASL, CART) for live or recorded virtual or in-person events; • Alternative document formats including large print, braille, electronic, audio and ASL/LSQ video formats; and; • Other accessible services, supports or formats as needed. Services and supports must be delivered in accordance with the timelines set out in the Accessibility Canada Regulations: • Large print or electronic format: within 15 days • Braille and audio formats: within 45 days

2.2 Requirement description The National Housing Strategy Act (2019) established the National Housing Council (NHC), the Federal Housing Advocate, and Review Panels. The NHC is an advisory body to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and was launched in November 2020. Its mandate is to support the National Housing Strategy by promoting participation and inclusion in the development of housing policy. The NHC Secretariat provides administrative and operational support to the NHC and is housed within Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada.

At the request of the Federal Housing Advocate, the NHC conducts review panels to examine systemic housing issues. Review panels collect submissions from individuals and organizations, and conduct hearings (meetings) that provide opportunities for public participation, with particular emphasis on people and communities directly affected by the issue, as well as experts in housing and human rights. In addition to review panels, the NHC hosts and participates in virtual and in-person meetings, events, and public engagements.

To ensure inclusive participation, NHC members and members of the public may require accessibility services and supports, or alternative formats. NHC materials (e.g., communications, documents, etc.) may also require alternative formatting. The NHC aims to hire external service providers to deliver these accessibility services upon request, in alignment with the Accessibility Canada Regulations.