- Earn A Microcredential
- Course Goals
- About the RHFAC Microcredential
- Qualifications / Prerequisites
- Cost
- Accessibility and System Requirements
- Tools and other materials
- Privacy
- Registration
Designed to empower professionals, this course equips you with the tools to rate spaces for meaningful accessibility. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, designer, or manager, this program will deepen your understanding and application of accessibility principles, ensuring your projects embody inclusivity and Universal Design. By delving deep into accessibility principles, you’ll emerge not only equipped but inspired to make a profound impact in the lives of individuals of all abilities.
Earn A Microcredential
Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) Professional Training gives built environment professionals an understanding of the needs of people with disabilities and the skills to rate spaces for meaningful accessibility with a human-centered perspective.
This course is relevant 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
Through the application of the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) methodology, you will learn practical skills needed to measure the meaningful 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. Upon successful completion, learners will be eligible to take the RHFAC Professional exam and qualify for an RHFAC Professional designation.
Course Goals
- 8-week, scheduled online course led by an RHFAC Professional.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how people of varying disabilities experience the social and physical environment.
- Apply an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) lens to your projects and operations.
- Apply Universal Design principles to create meaningful accessibility in the built environment.
- Gain the knowledge and skills needed to rate an existing site or one in pre-construction, for its level of meaningful access using RHFAC methodology.
- Learn about relevant accessibility legislation, regulations and standards.
- Learn how to communicate a site’s areas of success and improvement based on RHFAC rating findings.
About the RHFAC Microcredential
- Fully online, paced course
- The RHFAC Professional Training consists of modules, focused on core theoretical content, and 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. Participants must attend the live sessions and must inform the instructor when they cannot attend. Sessions will be recorded but attendance of live sessions is required.
- The course will be graded based on quizzes, required course activities, virtual presentations, and final assignment submission.
- Participants will be issued a certificate and a badge upon successfully completing the course, qualifying them to write the RHFAC Professional exam. Participants have 6 months from receiving their certificate to complete the RHFAC Professional exam.
- Receive one complimentary membership to the Accessibility Professional Network (APN) upon enrolment, 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.
Qualifications / Prerequisites
- a diploma or at least two years of completed post-secondary studies in architecture, 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
- 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
System Requirements
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.
Accessibility:
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
Participants 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 (luggage scale works well)
Additional Course Resources:
- RHFAC Professional Handbook (downloadable on the APN in Resource Library)
- RHFAC Rating Survey (downloadable on the APN in the Resource Library)
- CSA 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 B652-23 Accessible Dwellings (can be accessed for free online in both English and French on the CSA Group website.)
Privacy
Protection of Privacy – 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.
Registration
Ready to START THIS MICROCREDENTIAL?
Registration will open soon!
Questions: Accessibility.Institute@carleton.ca