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

Breadcrumb

  1. Rick Hansen Foundation
  2. News & Stories
  3. Blog
  4. Currently selected Chris Bouey Improves His Skills Through Becoming an RHFAC Professional
Chris Bouey smiling and wearing a blue button up shirt

Chris Bouey Improves His Skills Through Becoming an RHFAC Professional

Katie Kirker By Katie Kirker On October 19, 2022 Community Spotlight

To Chris Bouey, accessibility means “designing spaces that are welcoming and can be used by everyone.” 

Bouey is a practice leader at Architecture49, an architecture firm based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is the Sport and Recreation Sector Lead and focuses on designing a variety of community spaces, such as large arenas, swimming complexes and recreation centres. He first heard about the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Professional Training while he was working on a large public project in Halifax.  

During the project, the City began to implement a program that included the RHFAC criteria. Bouey wanted to learn more about RHF and enrolled himself in the training.  

“I thought it would help me in my career as a designer, to focus my design choices to ensure they benefit everyone,” Bouey said.

Chris Bouey smiling and wearing a blue button up shirt

Taking the RHFAC Professional Course 

Bouey had an excellent experience taking the course at Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).  

“The teacher was awesome,” Bouey said of Kristen Habermehl, the RHFAC Professional who teaches the class at NSCC. “She was thoughtful and focused and had a real passion for the material.”  

Despite taking the course online, Bouey enjoyed the communal aspects of the course and built many valuable relationships.  

Since becoming an RHFAC Professional, he says that it has impacted the way he designs.  

“The course has altered my approach to design, shifting my focus from aesthetic choices to practicality for all users,” Bouey explained.

“The best design is both beautiful and accessible for everyone.”  

Timberlea, Lakeside, and Beechville Community Centre 

Bouey is now working as an RHFAC Professional on the new Timberlea/Lakeside/Beechville Recreation Centre. While construction has not yet begun, the design is shooting for RHFAC Gold, aiming to be universally accessible.  

Bouey wants the Recreation Centre to go above and beyond in terms of access.  

“I want it to be a standard for recreation centres going forward in Halifax,” he explained.  

The centre includes two universal washrooms and the landscape architect working on the project will be using a lavender scent at the entryways for sensory wayfinding.  

“By taking this course and dispensing the new knowledge I have gained, I am opening up interesting possibilities for my entire team,” Bouey says.  

Going Beyond Code 

As he worked on community-based projects regularly in his career, Bouey had often considered universal design before. He explained that it was common for his office to go beyond code to try and make their projects work for as many people as possible, but the course helped highlight how much further they could go.  

“I work primarily in sport and recreation, and I previously worked on schools, so I was cognizant of universal design,” Bouey said. “My knowledge of RHFAC is pushing my entire office forward. It has been a step in the right direction for A49.”  

Going forward, Bouey wants to keep learning and growing as an architect.  

“I will keep taking courses and seeing what I can learn to improve,” he said. “Since my job as an architect is to make good buildings for everyone, I want to take every opportunity to advance my pursuit in making Architecture49’s buildings work for as many people as possible.”

Related articles

Vancouver City Hall, a large beige building with a clock at the top. It is surrounded by trees.
City of Vancouver Incorporates RHFAC into Policy
The Salt Spring and Southern Gulf Islands Community Services Society (SSICS) McPhillips Building. It is a large brown building with three peak windows on top.
Addition of an Elevator Gives a Lift to Accessibility for Members of the Salt Spring Community
Row of books in bins.
Winter Reading List 2022: Stories From Authors With Disabilities
Aerial view of Parkdale ice rink. The rink is outdoors, and people are playing sledge hockey. There are houses and cars in the neighbourhood beside the arena.
Parkdale Accessible Outdoor Community Rink Achieves RHFAC Gold

About the Author

Katie Kirker is currently working as the assistant on the marketing and communications team. She has previously worked as a journalist reporting on policy. She is excited to bring that experience to the RHF team.

Back to top

Next Story

Accessible Voting in Municipal Elections Fall 2022
Katie Kirker By Katie Kirker
Read More

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