Why Canadian Schools Are Upgrading Doors for Safety & Accessibility

: 19 March 2025

Why Canadian Schools Are Upgrading Doors: Safety, Accessibility, & Student Focus

School Safety & Accessibility: Top Concerns for Canadian Parents & Educators

Recent surveys of Canadian parents and educators reveal that door security and accessibility rank among their top concerns for student safety.

78% of teachers worry that outdated doors make their school vulnerable to security threats.
67% of parents believe that schools should implement touchless entry systems for safety and hygiene.
60% of school administrators admit their buildings are not fully AODA-compliant, risking accessibility violations.

With growing concerns about school security, health standards, and accessibility, many schools in Ontario and British Columbia schools are upgrading their entry doors and access control systems.

If your school has yet to make these critical updates, now is the time to prioritize student safety and compliance. Here’s why Canadian schools are making the switch and how Door Doctor can help.

Security: Modern Doors Keep Schools Safer from Threats

Why Schools Are Investing in Secure Doors?

From break-ins to unauthorized access, outdated door systems pose serious security risks in schools. Many school districts are now investing in:

Electric Operators and Touchless Entry Systems Allow secure access control with keycards, PIN codes, or biometric authentication.
Remote Locking & Auto-Closing Systems – Prevent doors from being accidentally left open, reducing security vulnerabilities.
Impact-Resistant Doors – Stronger, reinforced doors designed to withstand forced entry attempts.

Ontario School Safety Grant: The Ontario government has allocated $25 million in school security grants, enabling school districts to enhance door security with modern solutions.

Accessibility: Meeting AODA Requirements for Inclusive Education

The Importance of AODA-Compliant Doors in Schools

Every Canadian student deserves an accessible, barrier-free learning environment. Under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), public schools must ensure that entry points, hallways, and classrooms are wheelchair-friendly and easy to navigate.

AODA Requirements for School Doors

Automatic Entry Doors – Schools must have at least one power-operated door at main entrances.
Low-Energy Touchless Operators –Doors should open with a wave of a hand or motion sensors ensuring accessibility for students with mobility challenges.
Wide & Barrier-Free Access – Doorways must be at least 860mm (34 inches) wide to accommodate wheelchairs and assistive devices.

BC Accessibility Grants: In British Columbia, new accessibility mandates require schools to install automated entry doors in key areas. Government funding is available to support these upgrades.

Student Well-Being: Hygiene & Convenience with Touchless Doors

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have prioritized hygiene-focused upgrades, including touchless doors, to help reduce the spread of germs.

How Touchless Entry Benefits Schools

Reduces Contact Points – Eliminates the need to push or pull doors, minimizing the spread of bacteria.
Improves Traffic Flow – Helps manage busy entryways more efficiently.
Enhances Student Independence – Ideal for for students with mobility challenges, improving accessibility.

For kindergarten classrooms, libraries, washrooms, and cafeterias, automatic touchless doors offer an easy win for health, accessibility, and convenience.