On August 7, 2019, the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) announced the launch of an Accessibility Professional Network, a professional association developed to bring together the accessibility community in Canada. The network will connect like-minded professionals with a shared mission to improve accessibility in the built environment. Members have access to an industry job board, educational resources, professional development, and networking opportunities.
This network is for:
- Those interested in or working in the field of accessibility in the built environment.
- Designated Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Professionals.
- Students that are interested in the field of accessibility.
- RHFAC Professionals have been trained in rating the accessibility of buildings and spaces using the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification
Currently, over 150 people have taken the RHFAC Accessibility Assessor course, and over 1,200 buildings have been rated in the program. The new Accessibility Professional Network brings together this community.
“Currently 22 percent of Canadians identify having a disability and that number is growing as our population ages. We launched the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ in 2018 to work with industry to change design culture. The Accessibility Professional Network brings accessibility professionals together to improve the meaningful access of places and spaces in which people live, work and play. Only through collective collaboration and action can we make Canada truly accessible from coast-to-coast,” says Vice President of Access and Inclusion at the RHF, Brad McCannell.
Membership to this association is free for the remainder of 2019. To join the Accessibility Professional Network, visit rickhansen.com.