Skip to content
Menu
  • English Selected
  • Français

 

Header secondary

  • Sign up for eNews
  • Donate

Header

  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Our Programs
    • Leadership Team
    • Board Members and Committees
    • Donors
    • Annual Reports
    • 2021-23 Strategic Plan
    • FAQ
    • Work With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Champion's Circle
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • About Rick
    • About Rick
    • Rick's Story
    • Man In Motion World Tour
      • Man In Motion World Tour
      • The Dream
      • Tour Timeline
      • Tour Gallery
      • Tour Team
      • 35th Anniversary
    • Rick’s Work and Vision
    • A Conversation with Rick
    • Awards & Honours
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Get Involved
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Legacy Giving
    • Fundraise
    • Help make Canada accessible
    • Everyone Everywhere
    • National AccessAbility Week
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Become Accessible
    • Become Accessible
    • Rating & Certification 
      • Rating & Certification 
      • Rating Request Form
      • RHFAC FAQ
      • RHFAC v3.0
    • Accessibility Training and Education
      • Professional Training
      • Accessibility Training and Education
      • Tuition Grants
    • APN 2023 Conference
    • Accessibility Resources
    • Accessibility Professional Network
      • Accessibility Professional Network
      • FAQ: Accessibility Professional Network
      • Login
      • RHFAC Professional Directory
    • Post an Accessibility Job
    • Accessibility Advisory Services
    • Buildings Without Barriers Challenge
    • Leaders in Accessibility
    • 2022 B.C. Accessibility Grants
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Schools & Communities
    • Schools and Communities
    • Create an Inclusive School Year
      • Start with Awareness
      • Concentrate on Kindness 
      • Boldly Take Action
    • Resource Library
    • Ambassador Presentations
      • Ambassador Presentations
      • Book a Presentation
      • About Our Ambassadors
    • Difference Maker Awards
      • Difference Maker Awards
      • Difference Maker Winners
    • Supplementary Resources
    • Our Partners
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • News & Stories
    • News & Stories
    • Blog
    • Media Centre
    • Newsletter
    • Disability Reports
    Hero
    Passionate about accessibility? We need your help
    Get Involved
  • Search
Hero Attract more visitors & employees – get rated & certified. 

Attract more visitors & employees – get rated & certified. 

Breadcrumb

  1. Rick Hansen Foundation
  2. Become Accessible
  3. Rating & Certification 
  4. Currently selected Rating & Certification 

In Canada, almost 50% of adults have or have experienced a permanent or temporary physical 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. Get an RHFAC rating to better understand your physical accessibility, how you can improve, and identify barriers for your community, customers, or employees.

Get Started

Hero

Benefits of an RHFAC Rating & Certification

Gain market differentiation and a competitive advantage. Your pre-construction or existing site accessibility rating can help you:

Image

Attract more diverse visitors, staff and customers

Image

Build sustainable, inclusive spaces without costly retrofits

Image

Be a visionary leader in equity, diversity and inclusion 

Image

Benefit everyone with improved access

Headshot, middle aged man with white hair, glasses, smiling in grey suit.
Accessibility is one of our top priorities and is a key part of our success as a world-class hub. Gold Certification from the Rick Hansen Foundation is a testament to our ongoing efforts to better serve our passengers, partners and communities—and is a milestone we are very proud of.
Craig Richmond, Past President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority
Headshot of man smiling in black suit.
Every day, the Cowbell team strives to make the Cowbell Farm a welcoming, exciting and accessible space for team members and guests, regardless of their ability. The Rick Hansen Foundation is a leader for creating and promoting inclusive spaces and we are honoured to receive this recognition from them.
Grant Sparling II, Chief Development Officer, Cowbell Brewing
Headshot, woman with brown hair smiling, wearing black shirt.
An official accessibility certification program elevates what the City of Surrey is trying to achieve and gives us credibility. Creating welcoming and inclusive spaces through universal design gives our entire community the opportunity to participate. Having achieved gold and being recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation for our work generates incredible excitement.
Tara Cleave, Accessibility Manager, City of Surrey
Image displaying Push to Open button
Hero

Showcase Your Achievement

Whether or not you become certified, your RHFAC rating will provide helpful information on areas for improvement. Certified sites can celebrate by posting your label publicly.

Image
60%+

AND meets mandatory certification requirements*

RHF Accessibility Certified

Image
80%+

AND meets mandatory certification requirements*

RHF Accessibility Certified Gold

Hero

Join Accessibility Leaders 

1,750+

Rated Sites

1200+

Accessibility Certified Sites

112

Accessibility Certified Gold Sites

Become a Leader

How can an accessibility rating change your business?

Audio Described Version

Featured Projects 

Image of Lobby for Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility

Case Study: How Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility Inspires Others to Become Accessible

October 27, 2020

When Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Professionals rate a building, they typically work with an organization new to accessibility and universal design principles.

Read More
1 woman accompanied by a woman in wheelchair celebrating a ramp being built for accessibility at Starbucks.

Accessibility Case Study: Starbucks & Fort Properties

October 13, 2020

Suzanne and Jayne Bradbury of Fort Properties have built a reputation for creating beautifully designed, highly functional spaces in Victoria’s downtown core.

Read More
Rick Hansen smiling at Mosaic Stadium with plaque

Mosaic Stadium Case Study: Accessibility for Saskatchewan Roughriders Fans

August 12, 2020

When the City of Regina set about designing the new Mosaic Stadium, the administration seized an opportunity to create a historic design project in partnership with the accessibility community. 

Read More
wheelchair user and woman converse at a universal height counter in a business

City of Vaughan Case Study: A leader in accessibility

May 29, 2020

The City of Vaughan is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse municipalities in Canada.

Read More
Person in power wheelchair travels past colorful wall

City of Surrey Case Study: Certification as a Stepping Stone

July 14, 2020

The City of Surrey is establishing itself as a true leader in accessibility.

Read More

An Accessibility Case Study: Marine Gateway, Vancouver, BC

September 18, 2019

Known by locals as the place with the golden tree sculpture, Marine Gateway is a residential and commercial development in South Vancouver built around a Canada Line Sky Train station stop.

Read More
Image
Hero

Where do I start?

Review the 6 Steps to RHF Accessibility Certification  before you get started.

View Steps
Woman wearing black, smiling
The Chamber is an employer of choice, and we needed to make sure that everyone, guests and employees, feel welcomed and comfortable. With that ideal in mind, we set out to make the overall experience as barrier-free as possible, for as many needs as possible. Achieving certification from Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification speaks directly to that goal.
Jackie King, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
man in suit, smiling
The RHFAC training has helped BOMA broaden our understanding of the real needs of the users and the importance of bridging the gap between basic building code and real building accessibility. This will pay real dividends moving forward for our tenants, our owner managers and ourselves.
Benjamin Shinewald, President and CEO, Building Owners & Managers Association of Canada
man in suit, smiling
The RHFAC rating standard helps us understand that accessibility is broader than a focus on wheelchair users and takes into account the needs of people with vision, hearing and cognitive disabilities. Accessibility is more than a ramp!
Stanis Smith, Architect

More Information

Questions? Try our Frequently Asked Questions or get in touch by emailing access@rickhansen.com.

Accessibility assessor evaluates built environment

Frequently asked questions about RHFAC

Details on the RHFAC Rating Survey, costs, timelines, terms and conditions and more.

View
Group holds up plaque, including Rick Hansen

Guide to Certification

Read the in-depth RHFAC Guide to Certification, taking you from day one to celebrating your achievement, step by step. 

Download
blind person uses braille signage

Introducing RHFAC v3.0

The RHFAC Rating Survey is updated every three years to ensure the program remains on the forefront of innovation, and we continually welcome input from industry professionals and the disability community.

Learn More

Get Started

wheelchair wheels and red sneakers

Back to top

Stay in Touch

Receive Foundation emails to stay up-to-date on our impact and programs.

Contact Us

1-800-213-2131
info@rickhansen.com

Rick Hansen Foundation
300-3820 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC
Canada V7B 0A2

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Imagine Canada

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under license by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

About Us - EN

  • About Us
  • Our Programs
  • Leadership Team
  • Board Members and Committees
  • Donors
  • Annual Reports
  • 2021-23 Strategic Plan
  • FAQ
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Champion's Circle

About Rick - EN

  • About Rick
  • Rick's Story
  • Man In Motion World Tour
    • Man In Motion World Tour
    • The Dream
    • Tour Timeline
    • Tour Gallery
    • Tour Team
    • 35th Anniversary
  • Rick’s Work and Vision
  • A Conversation with Rick
  • Awards & Honours

Get Involved - EN

  • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Legacy Giving
  • Fundraise
  • Help make Canada accessible
  • Everyone Everywhere
  • National AccessAbility Week

Become Accessible - EN

  • Become Accessible
  • Rating & Certification 
    • Rating & Certification 
    • Rating Request Form
    • RHFAC FAQ
    • RHFAC v3.0
  • Accessibility Training and Education
    • Professional Training
    • Accessibility Training and Education
    • Tuition Grants
  • APN 2023 Conference
  • Accessibility Resources
  • Accessibility Professional Network
    • Accessibility Professional Network
    • FAQ: Accessibility Professional Network
    • Login
    • RHFAC Professional Directory
  • Post an Accessibility Job
  • Accessibility Advisory Services
  • Buildings Without Barriers Challenge
  • Leaders in Accessibility
  • 2022 B.C. Accessibility Grants

Schools & Communities - EN

  • Schools and Communities
  • Create an Inclusive School Year
    • Start with Awareness
    • Concentrate on Kindness 
    • Boldly Take Action
  • Resource Library
  • Ambassador Presentations
    • Ambassador Presentations
    • Book a Presentation
    • About Our Ambassadors
  • Difference Maker Awards
    • Difference Maker Awards
    • Difference Maker Winners
  • Supplementary Resources
  • Our Partners

News & Stories - EN

  • News & Stories
  • Blog
  • Media Centre
  • Newsletter
  • Disability Reports

Legal

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ethical Reporting Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Imagine Canada Certification
  • Accessibility Commitment
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Imagine Canada

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under license by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

Charitable Registration Number: 10765 9427 RR 0001 © 2023 Rick Hansen Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

Back to Top
Hero

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

Learn more
Hero

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.

Read more
Hero

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

Subscribe
Hero

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

Get Started
Hero

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

Learn more
Hero

Browse the latest stories about access and inclusion from Rick and our team of bloggers. 

Read our Blog