BRAMPTON, ON (March 11, 2020) – Brampton has been selected as one of ten municipalities in Ontario where local organizations are eligible to apply for a complimentary Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC), a program that rates how accessible buildings are for people with disabilities.
Non-profit, public and private organizations across the city are encouraged to take advantage of the free RHFAC rating to better understand their building’s level of accessibility and identify ways to make improvements. Buildings that achieve a high enough rating will become Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified or Accessibility Certified Gold.
The new complimentary RHFAC program is funded by the Government of Ontario in partnership with the Rick Hansen Foundation with the goal of making communities more accessible. Brampton was selected for its population size and geographic diversity. Around 25 locations across Brampton will be eligible for complimentary RHFAC ratings. Organizations must apply by March 27 at www.rickhansen.com/freerating.
For more information on the RHFAC program, visit www.brampton.ca
Highlights
- Organizations that are rated through the RHFAC program will get a scorecard rating and report of key areas of success and improvement for their location.
- The City of Brampton’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, comprised of citizen members, will review all RHFAC program applications by the end of May/early June. Applicants will be notified if their application was successful by July 3, 2020.
- The City of Brampton and its Accessibility Advisory Committee are dedicated to ensuring people of all ages and abilities enjoy the same opportunities as they live, work, play, visit and invest in Brampton.
Quotes
“Brampton is a Mosaic, and at the City we are committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities, and identifying opportunities to increase accessibility across our diverse community. I am thrilled that Brampton was selected to take part in the RHFAC program, and encourage local organizations to participate and help us make our city more accessible for all.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
"As the Council representative on the Accessibility Advisory Committee, I am proud of the work we are doing with the community to make Brampton more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. I encourage organizations of all types to take advantage of this free opportunity to obtain a RHFAC rating. By removing barriers, our city becomes more inclusive and accessible for all, allowing those with disabilities to participate fully in our community.”
- Pat Fortini, Regional Councillor, Wards 7 and 8; Member, Accessibility Advisory Committee; Member, Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee
"This generous funding from the Ontario government will enable many organizations to understand and showcase their building’s accessibility, and help inform their future accessibility plans with respect to the built environment. This is a great opportunity for organizations to help make Ontario more inclusive for our aging population and the growing number of people with disabilities."
- Brad McCannell, Vice President, Access and Inclusion, Rick Hansen Foundation
As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to 650,000 people and 70,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT
Megan Ball
Media Coordinator, City of Brampton
905.874.2143 | megan.ball@brampton.ca
