Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Education

1 in 5 Canadians have a disability, and creating physically accessible spaces where we live, learn, work and play is a critical component for disability inclusion. Many different industries have a role to play, from architects in the design phase to municipalities in policymaking and community building. Whether you are an architect, building owner, occupational therapist or diversity, equity and inclusion professional, an understanding of meaningful physical accessibility will help you create and advocate for accessible spaces.

The Rick Hansen Foundation has collaborated with people with physical disabilities, experts in the built environment, legislation and building code as well as accessibility professionals and education partners to create training courses and resources on accessibility and disability awareness.

Kristen Habermehl, on the RHFAC Professional Training course

“The course opened my eyes to things I didn’t understand before and what true meaningful access is. One of my favourite parts of the course was getting to hear first-person stories.”

“People think too often that accessibility is about technical specs and measurements, but it is how these technical numbers make lives better, the social aspect, and how these numbers impact people that makes the difference.”

Colin Farnan, on becoming an RHFAC Professional

“As an RHFAC Professional I can go into a building now and there is a consistent way of rating the building and how to improve accessibility beyond the building code,”

Rick Watters, on the RHFAC Professional Training course

“I loved learning much more in-depth about a range of disabilities and spectrums of disabilities and how much it impacts people in the physical environment. I would say some of the challenges that are unmet for people with sensory disabilities surprised me.”

RHF Inclusion & Accessibility Training

An interactive 1-hour self-directed, on-demand course designed to help organizations ignite positive change by making access and inclusion a cornerstone of their culture.

RHFAC Professional Training Course

Are you an architect or building professional with at least five years of experience in the built environment? Enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to disability inclusion by taking RHFAC Professional Training, and learn how to identify barriers for people with disabilities and rate the meaningful accessibility of sites.

Tuition Grants

BC residents, Ontario residents, and Canadians with disabilities are eligible for tuition grants to take the RHFAC Training course.

Coming Soon: RHFAC Fundamentals Course

Interested in creating inclusive spaces for all? Do you operate and maintain spaces? This course, provides learners with foundational knowledge to understand the needs of people with disabilities, how they interact with the built environment, and how Universal Design can be applied to make spaces more inclusive. Become a leader in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) over this 4-week course. No prerequisites required. Sign up below to be the first to know when registration opens.

Not sure where to start? Let us help.

If you are not ready to sign up for a course, we can still help get you started. Sign up below to receive invitations to free professional development webinars about accessibility and disability inclusion, the latest in Canadian accessibility news, insights on accessibility legislation and more.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Initiatives Program.

Accessibility and Disability Inclusion Education

RHF Inclusion & Accessibility Training

RHFAC Professional Training Course

Tuition Grants

Coming Soon: RHFAC Fundamentals Course

Not sure where to start? Let us help.

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Our programs and initiatives work to create an accessible and inclusive world where people with disabilities can live to their full potential.

When Rick set out to wheel around the world in 1985, he had three missions: to raise awareness about the potential of people with disabilities, create accessible and inclusive communities, and find a cure.

Receive updates from RHF on the impact we’re making for people with disabilities across Canada.

Have your site rated and certified for meaningful access for people with physical disabilities. Make your community more welcoming and inclusive for all!

Receive free educational resources that teach youth about the importance of access and inclusion.

Browse the latest stories about access and disability inclusion.