Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification

Why does DHI Canada support the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC)?

• According to the Foundation website, 50% of adults have experienced or are experiencing a permanent or temporary physical (mobility, vision or hearing) disability, or live with someone who has
• Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility CertificationTM  (RHFAC) is a national rating system that measures and certifies the level of meaningful access of buildings and sites
• Being able to get into or exit from a building is an important component of accessibility and, therefore, vital to us. We applaud RHFAC for this integrated approach to accessibility 

Certification is based on a site’s rated results from an inspection. This inspection looks at the accessibility of a site in these categories, as they are applicable:

• Vehicular access
• Exterior approach and entrance
• Interior circulation
• Interior services and environment
• Sanitary facilities
• Wayfinding and signage
• Emergency systems
• Additional use of space
• Residential units
• Trails and Pathways

A site could be anything from an office suite in a larger building to a planned mixed-use property development.

In addition to the certification process, RHFAC also provides training and designation of RHFAC Professionals. As a site owner seeking certification, you are required to work with an RHFAC Professional to conduct your site visit. You can find a list of Professionals on the Rick Hansen Foundation website.

DHI Canada strongly believes in the importance of this initiative, and we support the RHFAC through donations and by encouraging site owners to have their locations rated. This certification is emerging as an industry standard for gauging how buildings perform for users with mobility, vision or hearing impairments. Visit the RHFAC website.