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The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Training

Become an RHFAC professional and work to improve the accessibility of the built environment for people with disabilities.

Overview

This course is the first step towards qualifying you to conduct ratings under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) program.

Through this course, using a comprehensive national rating system, you learn how to evaluate the accessibility of a building or site. You develop a strong understanding of Universal Design in a variety of settings and how to identify positive access features or barriers to people with disabilities.

Program highlights

Course topics include:

  • The impact of social and built environments on people with physical, sensory, learning and developmental disabilities
  • An overview of universal design principles
  • Interpreting construction and project plans
  • Integrating relevant legislation, regulations, and standards when planning and executing accessibility assessments

Prerequisites

  • You have a diploma or at least two years of completed post-secondary studies in architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design or a related program; or
  • You have a Journeyman Certificate of Qualification in a designated trade related to building construction; or
  • You are an engineer (or eligible for registration as an engineer); or
  • You are an architect (or eligible for registration as an architect); or
  • You have a minimum of five years of construction experience; or
  • You have an equivalent combination of lived experience and built environment knowledge.
  • Education and credentials awarded outside of Canada will be considered.

Recommendations:

  • You will have the most success in this course if you already have a high level of proficiency with computer systems and programs (including Microsoft Excel), as well as solid written and verbal communication skills.
  • Do you feel strongly that you would be a good candidate but do not meet the above requirements? Please contact us – we will be pleased to discuss your options at  (or ).

Program requirements

  • You must attend the live online classes, participate fully in the course and complete all coursework.
  • To receive the RHFAC professional designation, you must:
    • Pass the RHFAC Training Course
    • 100% attendance is required
    • Pass the RHFAC Professional Exam

New timeline effective April 1st, 2023

  • April 1, 2023 will still have 12 months to complete the RHFAC Professional Exam
  • Anyone who started the course on or after April 1, 2023 will need to complete the exam within 6 months of receiving their proof of course completion (rather than from the course end date)
    • Proof of course completion document is required when registering for the Exam;
    • It can take a month to receive the proof of course completion – varies, depending on the academic institution

Upcoming courses

March 2024 - This offering is now full. Next offering will be in September 2024.

This will be a virtual course using Brightspace and MS Teams.

Start Date: March 19, 2024
End Date: April, 25, 2024

Schedule note: the class meets online every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm

Cost:

  • Course fee: $1,900
  • Tuition funding for people with disabilities is available. Find out more

Apply:

  • Complete the application form (ensure you provide all required documentation at the time of application)
  • Once your application is reviewed and it's determined admissions criteria are met, payment instructions will be forwarded to you

Questions?

Please contact the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Assessor Training Course:

School of Access

“Thank you, again, for your exceptional teaching and insight, and for making this a very interesting course.” – Masters in planning and RHFAC student

“It was a great process; class time was good and allowed you to soak in the different modules...I thought I was an expert, but learned many things. Thank you for the opportunity; you are a great educator.” – Architect and RHFAC student

“I think the class went very well, and you did an amazing job fitting so much into the class time without it being overwhelming.” – Occupational therapist and RHFAC student

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