Thanks to the support from our partners, donors, supporters, volunteers, and staff, we continued to make progress to build an inclusive and accessible Canada where everyone can go everywhere. Your commitment is evident in every achievement we celebrate. We are grateful for your dedication to achieving our shared vision of an inclusive world, where our citizens are equally valued and included in the places where we live, work, learn, and play.
Here are some highlights of what we accomplished together in 2024/25. Looking for more? Download the complete report.
Conversations in Canada and on the Global Stage
Attended UN’s 17th Conference of State Parties Session on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Power of Inclusion webinar included 640 attendees
“Just Because We Can” public service campaign achieved more than 33 million impressions
Strengthened 4 international partnerships
Sharpened our focus on innovation
Meaningfully Accessible Environments: The RHF Accessibility Certification Program
Now in its seventh year, RHFAC continues to set Canada’s benchmark for meaningful access in the built environment. Developed using principles of Universal Design and grounded in lived experience, RHFAC goes beyond code compliance to assess real-world accessibility.
Each RHFAC rating brings us closer to embedding accessibility into policies, procurement, and standards across municipalities, industry, and government to build communities where everyone can participate fully.
RHFAC Program Highlights
1,803 people registered for an accessibility training course, totalling over 3,855 learners trained to date
329 sites RHFAC rated surpassing our goal of 200
RHFAC Gold awarded to Toronto Pearson Airport (35M+ annual visitors)
Municipal Accessibility Policy Toolkit developed
RHFAC adopted as requirement by the City of Richmond, B.C.; Cities of Vancouver, Surrey, and Williams Lake B.C.; and Halifax, N.S. continue to integrate RHFAC into design and development requirements
Amplifying Inclusive Schools and Communities: The RHF School Program
Since 2001, the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program (RHFSP) has empowered children and youth to become champions of accessibility and inclusion, helping them recognize barriers, challenge stigma, and build more inclusive communities. This year, the program reached 19,591 students through our educational resources and Ambassador presentations, surpassing our goal of 15,000. Each interaction sparks awareness and empathy, inspiring the next generation to see accessibility not as an accommodation, but as a shared responsibility.
School Program Highlights
19,591 youth reached through our educational resources and Ambassador presentations
5 Difference Maker of the Year Award Recipients announced
5 Rick & Amanda Hansen Scholarships for Youth with Disabilities awarded (up to $40K over five years)
9 Youth Leadership Committee members mentored
8 new educator resources created reaching 11 provinces/territories and international downloads
2,184 registered and 1,758 completed our RHF Inclusion & Accessibility E-Learning
Advancing Spinal Cord Injury Cure and Care Initiatives
RHF continues to invest in world-class SCI research, rehabilitation, and innovation through its long-standing partnership with the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre. This funding supports the people, infrastructure, and programs driving discovery, improving care, and strengthening community participation for those living with SCI.
SCI Cure and Care Initiative Highlights
5 seed grants, 20 trainee travel awards
9 scientific publications this year
PARC attendance up to 45 visits/day, offering six weekly exercise classes
Work-Integrated Learning program expanded (10 UBC Kinesiology students)
The International SCI Biobank approved 35 global research requests and cited in six peerreviewed papers
Led BC SCI Care Strategy resulting in new SCI Navigation Service
Removing Barriers to Nature: The RHF Accessible Outdoors Program
The RHF Accessible Outdoors Program, through the generosity of The Peterson Family Foundation and community partnerships with Power to Be, the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation, is breaking down barriers in the natural environment so people with disabilities can experience outdoor activities in meaningful ways.
Accessible Outdoors Program Highlights
100 individuals welcomed aboard the program’s accessible vessel, Everyone Everywhere during the pilot phase
Goal to reach 500 people next fiscal year
Secured partnerships with Power to Be, Pacific Salmon Foundation and the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society
Read the 2024/2025 RHF Annual Report
To learn more about the important work highlighted here, as well as to explore RHF's detailed financial statements, download the complete annual report.