Working Towards a More Inclusive Trail Sector with Our New Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool
Exciting news! We’re pleased to share Trans Canada Trail’s Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool.
This tool aims to support trail organizations in their efforts to create more diverse and meaningfully inclusive spaces, programs and workplaces, which helps groups in the following ways:
• It strengthens the organizations’ sustainability
• It increases resilience and ongoing relevance
• It attracts new, active participants to the trail sector
An inclusive environment welcomes, supports, respects and values individuals for their differences, perspectives, talents and contributions. It requires an active, intentional and continuous process to address inequities in power and privilege, and to build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming spaces in which everyone can thrive.
With the Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool, trail groups and other outdoor recreation organizations can look at how inclusive their organization is, what areas they can improve upon and potential ways in which to do so. The tool is available to anyone – trail groups, volunteer organizations, governments and others connected to the trail sector.
Examining trail attributes, community engagement, Indigenous reconciliation and more
Developed in 2024 by Trans Canada Trail, the Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool includes a survey that takes up to 7 minutes to complete. Respondents answer around 30 multiple-choice questions about their group related to the following 6 categories:
• Trail Attributes
• Human Resources Policies, Practices & Employee Engagement
• Marketing and Community Engagement
• Indigenous Reconciliation
• Planning, Implementation and Commitment of Resources
• Procurement
Just a few minutes after submitting their responses, participants receive an assessment by email that outlines where they are in their inclusion journey. Participants are also sent Trans Canada Trail’s Resources for an Inclusive Trail Sector guide, which provides further stories, videos and websites with best practices in accessibility and inclusion, broken down by the categories in the self-assessment.
Reflecting on areas of strength and opportunities for growth
Zhibek Abdyramanova, Trans Canada Trail’s Coordinator, Inclusion Programs and Initiatives, points out that the assessment tool is not meant to be an evaluation tool, but rather a means to help trail groups on their ongoing journey of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
“Trans Canada Trail is thrilled to offer this resource to the trail sector!” says Zhibek. “We hope that groups will embrace this tool as a catalyst for making their trails as accessible and inclusive as possible. Designed to support and guide groups, the Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool provides reflective benchmarks that highlight both areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Upon completing the questionnaire, trail groups will gain access to curated resources — including videos, podcasts and other inclusion-focused materials — that provide practical guidance and inspiration to foster learning, spark action and drive meaningful change.”
Feedback from respondents has been quite positive. One participant said that they learned a lot from the assessment tool – that it reinforced their internal discussions around inclusivity, particularly in the workplace, and that it would be very useful going forward.
Another respondent reflected on how asking themselves the questions in the assessment tool really helped them evaluate their work in the sector and to look towards where they want to go in the future.
Learn more about the Inclusive Trail Self-Assessment Tool here.
