Item - 2025.DI11.7

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee:

1. Invited a representative from the Rick Hansen Foundation to present at the next Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 23, 2025. 

The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program recently partnered with the City of Vancouver to build technical capacity, assess, and improve the accessibility of public buildings and spaces. Through this collaboration, several city-owned facilities - including community centres, libraries, and civic buildings - are being rated using the RHFAC methodology, which evaluates sites based on their meaningful access for people with varying disabilities. This partnership has helped Vancouver identify barriers, prioritize upgrades, and promote inclusive design across the city, aligning with its broader goals of becoming a more accessible and equitable community for everyone.

A similar partnership in Toronto could have a transformative impact. By applying the RHFAC program across Toronto’s vast network of public spaces, the city could more effectively collaborate to identify areas for improvement, set measurable accessibility goals, make data-driven investment decisions, and engage the community in building a more inclusive urban environment. This initiative would support Toronto’s accessibility commitments, enhance the everyday experiences of residents and visitors with disabilities, and demonstrate leadership in inclusive city-building.