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.
- A Life-Long Pursuit of Equitable Design
- Kristen Habermehl’s Journey to Becoming an RHFAC Professional
- Chris Bouey Improves His Skills Through Becoming an RHFAC Professional
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
October 2023
This will be a virtual course using Brightspace and MS Teams.
Start Date: October 24th
End Date: November 30th
Final project being due January 15th, 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