(June 15, 2023) - Laurentian University is pleased to announce its partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation to deliver the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Training program over the next year. This collaboration aims to promote and advance accessibility in Canada's built environment, fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities.
Beginning June 26th, the RHFAC course will now be offered by Laurentian University. The program equips participants to play a pivotal role in Canada's accessibility movement. It will enable professionals involved in planning, design, and construction to develop a comprehensive understanding of accessibility from the perspective of individuals with vision, hearing, and mobility disabilities.
"We are honored to have been selected by the Rick Hansen Foundation to help deliver this important program," said Christina Sckopke, Manager of Micro-Credentials and Non-Credit Programming in the Centre for Continuing Learning at Laurentian University. "This partnership allows us to contribute to creating a more inclusive society by equipping professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance accessibility in the built environment.”
Participants will learn to assess the meaningful accessibility of the built environment and identify potential barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. The program also introduces Universal Design principles, current legislation, and standards related to accessibility. Upon successful completion, participants will be eligible to take the RHFAC Professional Exam.
To enroll in the RHFAC, participants must meet specific prerequisites. These include having a diploma or a minimum of two years of completed post-secondary studies in architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design, or a related program. Individuals with equivalent combinations of lived experience and built environment knowledge are also encouraged to inquire about eligibility.
The RHFAC will be delivered synchronously online through teacher-led classes, utilizing Brightspace and Zoom. Tuition grants will be available for residents of Ontario.
For more information on the RHFAC, please contact Christina Sckopke, Manager of Micro-Credentials and Non-Credit Programming at Laurentian University, at 705-675-1151 ext 3321 or continuinglearning@laurentian.ca