Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Professional Training
Table of Contents
Course Description
This course trains built environment professionals to understand the needs of people with disabilities and rate spaces with a meaningful accessibility and human-centered perspective. Through the application of the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) methodology, you will learn practical skills needed to measure the accessibility of existing sites and incorporate a Universal Design lens to your new construction or renovation projects.
Enhance your skills and demonstrate your commitment to access and inclusion by taking this 8-week course. You must complete and successfully pass this course as one of the requirements to qualify for your RHFAC Professional designation. Prerequisites apply.
What You Will Learn
- 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.
- Understand construction projects and how RHFAC Professionals can be involved.
Who it’s Good For
Built environment professionals and students who design, operate and maintain spaces:
- Architects
- Civil Engineers
- Building and Interior Designers
- Property Managers
- Facility Managers
- Accessibility consultants
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The RHFAC Professional Training course provides training on the RHFAC rating and certification process 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.
Course at a Glance
- This is a fully online, paced course.
- This course is 8 weeks in length, requiring a commitment of approximately 60 hours or 7 to 8 hours per week. Time varies depending on learners.
- The RHFAC Professional Training consists of 6 modules on core competencies and 12 mini-modules focused on applying the RHFAC rating system.
- This 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.
- The course will be graded based on quizzes, required course learning activities, and final course assignment submission.
- Learners will be issued a certificate and a badge upon successful completion of the course, which qualifies them to write the RHFAC Professional exam. Learners have 6 months from receiving their certificate to complete the RHFAC Professional exam.
- Learners will receive a complimentary membership to the Accessibility Professional Network (APN) upon enrolment to download training materials, for a limited time
- Course materials will be available for view-only access 6 months after the end of the 8-week course.
Note: The RHFAC Professional exam must be booked separately by participants.
Course Delivery
Paced/Online. Course readings and course work is estimated to take approximately 60 hours in total or 7 to 8 hours weekly, over 8 weeks.
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.
Before registering, please make sure you meet these requirements. If you are unsure, contact cpe@ualberta.ca. By enrolling in this course, you attest that you meet the prerequisite requirements. Refunds will not be granted to learners who have enrolled, but do not meet course prerequisites.
Cost
$2,500 CAD + Applicable Taxes
Accessibility and System Requirements
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This course is delivered on RHF Portal, which is the University of Alberta’s Partner Learning Space, Brightspace by D2L. For more information about system requirements, go to Browser Support for Brightspace to understand the system requirements for optimal performance.
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To learn more about accessibility, please visit Brightspace Accessibility Standards for the learning environment. The course has been developed in Articulate Rise. To learn more about accessibility with this tool, please visit Rise 360 Accessibility Conformance Report, and to learn more about Keyboard Navigation, visit Rise 360: Keyboard-Accessible Navigation. We strive to make our courses as accessible as possible, but if you have any concerns or questions, please contact cpe@ualberta.ca.
Tools and other materials
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- Measuring device (laser or tape)
- Camera or phone (for taking photos)
- Digital level (downloadable apps, such as iHandy, are available)
- Door pressure gauge (luggage scale works well)
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- RHFAC Professional Handbook (downloadable on the APN)
- RHFAC Rating Survey (downloadable on the APN)
- CSA/ASC B651-23 Accessible Design for the Built Environment (can be accessed for free online in both English and French on the CSA Group website).
- CSA/ASC B652-23 Accessible Dwellings (can be accessed for free online in both English and French on the CSA Group website).
Registration
Registration now open for the following RHFAC sessions:
Winter 2026
January 12 to March 6, 2026
Spring 2026
May 4 to June 26, 2026
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Personal information provided is collected in accordance with Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (the FOIP Act) and will be protected under Part 2 of that Act. Your personal information such as your name, contact information, and completion will be shared with the Rick Hansen Foundation. Should you require further information about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, please contact the Manager, Online Education at online@ualberta.ca, Online Learning and Continuing Education, Enterprise Square, 10230 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 4P6, 780 492 3830.
Questions: If you have any questions or would like additional information about the RHFAC Professional Training, please email Accessibility.Institute@carleton.ca.