Whether you are planning, designing, constructing or operating a site, Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Professional Training will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to apply a meaningful access lens to your projects, and rate a building for its overall accessibility under the RHFAC program.
Enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to access and inclusion by taking this 8-week course. The course will take approximately 60 hours to complete, and you must complete and successfully pass this course and exam to qualify for your RHFAC Professional designation. Prerequisites apply.
Note: The RHFAC Professional exam must be booked separately by participants.
Learning Outcomes
- understand the scope and prevalence of disability;
- describe how people with varying types of disabilities experience the social and physical environment;
- learn to apply Universal Design principles and a meaningful access lens to existing sites and pre-construction projects;
- discuss the legal landscape and frameworks affecting people with disabilities; learn about the RHFAC program, its benefits, methodology and the rating and certification process;
- rate existing sites and pre-construction projects for meaningful access using the RHFAC Rating Survey;
- communicate areas of success and improvements for an RHFAC rating; and
- understand construction projects and how RHFAC Professionals can be involved.
Who Should Take this Training?
RHFAC Professional Training supports Architects, Urban Planners, Engineers, Facility Managers and Operators, Accessibility Consultants and more.
Program Details
The RHFAC Professional Training course provides training on the RHFAC rating and certification process for learners to become designated RHFAC Professionals.
During this course, learners will be required to:
- Review and analyze detailed documents and construction drawings.
- Conduct site visits and collect data using equipment and tools such as measuring tape, slope reader, light meter, etc.
- Capture site features of the site using photography or other digital equipment.
Learners registering for the RHFAC Professional Training course should best determine how they would complete these tasks.
- This intensive 8-week course includes 16 modules on core competencies and 12 mini-modules applying the RHFAC rating system.
- Designed for part-time study, the course offers flexibility to professionals juggling career and personal commitments.
- The course includes weekly two-hour live virtual sessions and online discussions facilitated by an RHFAC instructor. Learners are required to attend the live sessions and must inform their instructor if they cannot attend. Sessions will be recorded but attendance of live sessions is required.
- Learners will also require the following assessment tools:
- Measuring device (laser or tape)
- Camera or phone (for taking photos)
- Digital level (downloadable apps, such as iHandy, are available)
- Door pressure gauge (supply scale model is acceptable)
- Learners will receive a complimentary membership to the Accessibility Professional Network (APN) upon enrollment to download training materials.
- Course readings and course work will require approximately 4 to 6 hours weekly over 8 weeks.
- The course will be graded based on quizzes, required course learning activities, and final course assignment submission.
RHFAC Professional Training Course Prerequisites:
- a certificate or at least one year of completed post-secondary studies in architecture, building construction, civil engineering, urban planning, interior design or a related program; or
- a Journeyman Certificate of Qualification in a designated trade related to building construction; or
- an engineer (or eligible for registration as an engineer); or
- an architect (or eligible for registration as an architect); or
- an architectural or engineering technologist or technician; or
- a minimum of five years of construction experience; or
- an equivalent combination of lived experience and work experience in the built environment.
Education and credentials awarded outside of Canada will be considered.
By enrolling in this course, you attest that you meet the prerequisite requirements.If you are unsure, contact training@rickhasen.com.
Certification:
Upon successful completion, you will automatically receive a certificate.
Instructors
Your RHFAC instructors are not just educators—they are seasoned professionals and recognized accessibility experts, bringing real-world experiences to their teaching.
Upcoming Courses
Two-hour weekly sessions run once per week, typically on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Eastern Time Zone). There are eight (8) virtual sessions in total.
- Winter: 12 January 2026 – 6 March 2026
14 January, 2026
21 January, 2026
28 January, 2026
04 February, 2026
11 February, 2026
18 February, 2026
25 February, 2026
04 March, 2026
Instructor: Jenny Blome - Winter: 19 January 2026 – 13 March 2026
21 January, 2026
28 January, 2026
04 February, 2026
11 February, 2026
18 February, 2026
25 February, 2026
04 March, 2026
11 March, 2026
Instructor: Gail Martiri - Spring: 13 April 2026 – 5 June 2026
15 April, 2026
22 April, 2026
29 April, 2026
06 May, 2026
13 May, 2026
20 May, 2026
27 May, 2026
03 June, 2026
Instructor: Julia Pannolino - Spring: 14 April 2026 – 6 June 2026
15 April, 2026
22 April, 2026
29 April, 2026
06 May, 2026
13 May, 2026
20 May, 2026
27 May, 2026
03 June, 2026
Instructor: Pat Short - Fall: 8 September 2026 – 3 November 2026
9 September, 2026
16 September, 2026
23 September, 2026
30 September, 2026
7 October, 2026
14 October, 2026
21 October, 2026
28 October, 2026
Instructor: Gail Martiri
* French sessions available 8 September 2026 – 3 November 2026 - Fall: 6 October 2026 – 1 December 2026
7 October, 2026
14 October, 2026
21 October, 2026
28 October, 2026
4 November, 2026
10 November, 2026
18 November, 2026
25 November, 2026
Instructor: Pat Short - Winter: 12 January 2027 – 9 March 2027
13 January, 2027
20 January, 2027
27 January, 2027
3 February, 2027
10 February, 2027
17 February, 2027
24 February, 2027
3 March, 2027
Instructor: Jenny Blome - Spring: 9 February 2027 – 6 April 2027
10 February, 2027
17 February, 2027
24 February, 2027
3 March, 2027
10 March, 2027
17 March, 2027
24 March, 2027
30 March, 2027
Instructor: Julia Pannolino
Registration Details
RAIC Members
Price: $1,350 + Applicable Taxes; Members can register through a special link in RAIC Connects. Contact education@raic.org with any questions.
Non-Members
Price: $1,500 + Applicable Taxes
System Requirements:
This course is delivered on the Rick Hansen Foundation Training Portal. For more information about system requirements, go to Browser Support for Canvas to understand the system requirements for optimal performance.
Accessibility:
To learn more about accessibility, please visit Canvas Accessibility. We strive to make our courses as accessible as possible, but if you have any concerns or questions, please contact training@rickhasen.com Edit This