PEAC 800: Building Accessible Spaces
The Challenge You’re Likely Facing
Designing or managing physical spaces today comes with growing expectations around accessibility—but it’s not always clear what that looks like in practice.
You may be:
- Working with accessibility requirements or standards without a clear sense of how they show up in real environments
- Unsure how people with disabilities experience and navigate the spaces you design or manage
- Trying to interpret what “accessible” means beyond minimum requirements
- Making decisions about spaces without a strong foundation in accessibility principles
As a result, accessibility can feel unclear, inconsistent, or difficult to fully integrate into planning and design processes.
This training will help you build the understanding and practical perspective needed to recognize barriers, apply foundational design principles, and make more informed accessibility decisions in physical spaces.
Ideally Designed For
This course is ideal for professionals who influence the design, planning, or management of physical spaces, including:
- Architects, designers, and urban planners
- Facilities and operations leaders
- Project managers and developers
- Accessibility and compliance professionals
- Public sector and policy leaders
It is especially relevant for those who are working with accessibility requirements and want to better understand how accessibility translates into real-world environments.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of PEAC 800, you will learn how to:
- Recognize barriers in physical spaces: Build awareness of how people with disabilities experience the built environment and where barriers commonly arise.
- Understand meaningful access: Explore what accessibility looks like in practice and how it differs from minimum compliance.
- Apply foundational Universal Design principles: Develop a working understanding of how inclusive design principles can inform planning and decision-making.
- Navigate accessibility legislation: Become familiar with key Canadian accessibility laws and how they relate to physical spaces.
- Interpret accessibility beyond code requirements: Strengthen your ability to assess accessibility in context, beyond checklists and standards.
- Understand core accessibility considerations in the built environment: Identify key elements that influence usability and inclusion in physical spaces.
- Explore RHFAC as a framework: Gain awareness of how the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ can support accessibility efforts and recognition.
What to Expect During PEAC 800
This course is designed to build your confidence in understanding and interpreting accessibility in physical spaces.
You can expect:
- Insight into how people with disabilities experience built environments
- Exploration of common barriers in physical spaces
- Clear explanations of key concepts and legislation
- Opportunities to reflect on your own spaces, projects, or environments
- A focus on building perspective rather than prescribing solutions
If you encounter any difficulties accessing or viewing course materials, please let us know as soon as possible so we can troubleshoot the issue together.
Meet Your Instructor
Kristen Habermehl
- PEAC 800 Instructor
Recommended Preparation
We strongly encourage participants to take PEAC 100 before engaging in any other PEAC courses, as participants will be equipped with the essential foundational knowledge and perspective needed to take actionable steps toward accessibility in their organizations and communities. PEAC 100 focuses on the following topics:
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- Models of Disability: Medical, charity, moral, economic, and social models.
- Accessibility Language: Importance of inclusive language, person-first vs. identity-first language, and disability-related terminology.
- Common Experiences of Disability: Disability statistics, types, visible vs. non-visible disabilities, and neurodiversity.
- Barriers to Inclusion: Attitudinal, environmental/physical, communication, and systemic/policy barriers.
- Creating Inclusive Spaces: Best practices for workplaces, introduction to universal design, active listening and allyship.
- Disclosure and Accommodations: Understanding disclosure and duty to inform/inquire/ accommodate, and common best practices for recruitment and workplace accommodations.
For more information about the Professional Education for Accessibility Competence (PEAC) program, please visit our main webpage.
What’s Included with Your Registration:
Designed for real workplace application, your registration includes more than the live sessions. You’ll receive practical tools to prepare, document your learning, and translate key takeaways into next steps at work—plus ways to stay connected to Canada’s accessibility community.
- Participant Workbook (included): The in-session workbook used throughout the live sessions to support guided exercises, reflection prompts, and capturing key takeaways.
- Record of Completion Certificate (included): An earned certificate recognizing successful completion, issued after the course assessment.
- PEAC 800 Starter Pack (a $50 value): A curated prep kit with short resources, reflection prompts, and a clear “what to expect” guide so you can arrive ready to participate from day one.
- Résumé & LinkedIn Skills Translation Guide (a $100 value): A post-training downloadable tool that helps you clearly articulate PEAC 800 knowledge, competencies, and applied accessibility skills in professional profiles.
- Post-Training Action Plan (a $75 value): Structured tools and resources to reflect on key takeaways and translate them into concrete next steps for more inclusive, day-to-day practices at work.
- Canadian Accessibility Network (CAN) Engagement Bundle (a $150+ value): An invitation to connect with a national accessibility network, including one complimentary CAN Connect Forum pass, CAN Newsletter updates, and opportunities to learn with peers and share practical approaches and resources that support implementation.
Pricing
Each PEAC 800 registration includes live, facilitated learning, practical tools and resources, and access to post-session materials that support real workplace application.
- Individual Registration: $997 + HST.
Group Rates
Planning to register ten or more team members? Group enrollment offers discounted pricing to support shared learning and consistent application across teams.
Group registrations are well suited for organizations looking to:
- Build shared language and confidence around accessibility
- Strengthen consistency in people practices across roles and departments
- Maximize professional development investments
Visit our Group Enrollment webpage for details on bulk pricing and coordinated registration.
Upcoming Sessions:
Multi Day
PEAC 800: Building Accessible Spaces
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April 28 to 30
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Virtual Event
Accommodations
We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive learning experience for all participants. Accommodations are welcomed and supported as part of our standard practice.
If you require accommodations to support your participation, please reach out as early as possible. We are happy to work with you to understand your needs and identify appropriate supports to ensure meaningful engagement in PEAC.
Looking for more information? Visit the PEAC homepage or Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the Professional Education for Accessibility Competence program.