- What types of sites are eligible for a complimentary rating?
- Can a site in the design phase apply to receive a complimentary rating?
- What are the eligible municipalities? How were they selected?
- How are applications reviewed for complimentary ratings?
- When will I receive the results of my complimentary rating?
- Will an RHFAC rating identify how my Site complies with legal requirements?
- How do I find out more about RHFAC?
1. What types of sites are eligible for a complimentary rating?
Commercial and institutional sites across the public, private and not-for profit sectors are eligible for a complimentary rating.
- Commercial sites include retail stores, malls, offices, light industrial sites
- Institutional sites include schools, community and recreation centres, libraries and hospitals
- Residential dwellings and trails & pathways are NOT eligible for a complimentary rating.
2. Can a site in the design phase apply to receive a complimentary rating?
Yes. Pre-construction, in the form of blueprint review, can be rated. If the project is in the design stage, organizations must have land acquired within one of the identified Ontario municipalities.
3. What are the eligible municipalities? How were they selected?
Complimentary ratings are offered for Sites located in the following Ontario municipalities: Brampton, Greater Sudbury, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Toronto, Vaughan, Waterloo and Windsor.
These municipalities were selected for both their population size and geographic diversity.
4. How are applications reviewed for complimentary ratings?
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- How many people use or visit the site
- How many people with vision, hearing or mobility disabilities use or visit the site
- Representation of non-profit, private and public sites
- Representation of urban and rural buildings (where applicable to that municipality)
- Reasons for pursuing an RHFAC Rating
- Steps taken to date to make the site more inclusive for people with vision, hearing or mobility disabilities
- Future plans to make the site more inclusive for people with vision, hearing or mobility disabilities
Accessibility Advisory Committees of the relevant municipality may also be consulted.
5. When will I receive the results of my complimentary rating?
It will take approximately 6 weeks after your RHFAC Professional makes an onsite visit to receive your results. However, it may take longer depending on several factors including:
- Impacts of Covid-19 closures
- Complexity of the building and exterior approach
- Size of the building and exterior approach
- Analysis of data and photos by the RHFAC Professional to submit a rating for adjudication
- Rating review by an independent adjudicator, including potential to request further information from the RHFAC Professional
- Approval by the CSA Group, including potential to request further information from the RHFAC Professional and/or adjudicator
6. Will an RHFAC rating identify how my Site complies with legal requirements?
An RHFAC rating does not have legal weight and does not affect or replace legal requirements applicable in Ontario.
7. How do I find out more about RHFAC?
Learn more here: Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification