Oakville’s commitment to accessibility recognized by Rick Hansen Foundation

Three more town facilities receive Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification

The new Sixteen Mile Community Centre and Library currently under construction has achieved the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certified (RHFAC) Gold rating for accessibility, even before its planned opening in 2025. It is one of just over 100 Accessibility Certified Gold sites in Canada and one of only a few pre-construction sites that have been certified Gold. Additionally, Trafalgar Park Community Centre and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre also achieved certifications in 2024.   

RHFAC provides organizations and their communities with an understanding of their overall level of meaningful access by surveying and rating accessible public buildings based on the user experience of those with varying abilities in mobility, vision and hearing. To date, over 1,750 sites across Canada have been rated through the program. 

These are not the first Town of Oakville facilities to be awarded accessibility certifications through the Buildings Without Barriers Challenge. In 2021, Oakville Trafalgar Community Center and Town Hall received Gold certifications under the RHFAC rating system. 

A building can be certified at one of two levels (RHF Certified or RHF Accessibility Certified Gold) if it meets the eligibility requirements and a minimum score. A gold certification is the highest achievement, and buildings must receive a total score of 80 out of 100 or higher on the rating survey. Sixteen Mile Community Centre and Library received a rating score of 80.9, while Trafalgar Park Community Centre and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre received scores of 79 and 77.8, respectively. 

To learn more about Sixteen Mile Community Centre and Library’s Gold Certification, and Trafalgar Park Community Centre and Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre’s Accessibility Certifications, visit the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification registry. 

The Town of Oakville is committed to fostering a vibrant and livable community for all. Learn about how the town embeds accessibility into all its plans, strategies and development standards in the Town of Oakville Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2024-2029 (MYAP) and Oakville Universal Design Standards (pdf), and on our Accessibility and Inclusion web page.

Quote

“Oakville’s dedication to creating accessible spaces is a cornerstone of our vibrant and inclusive community. The recognition of our town facilities by the Rick Hansen Foundation highlights our ongoing commitment to ensuring every resident can fully enjoy, participate in, and contribute to our shared community.”

– Mayor Rob Burton

About the Rick Hansen Foundation

The Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) was established in 1988, following the completion of Rick Hansen’s ‘Man in Motion World Tour’. For nearly 30 years, RHF has worked to raise awareness, change attitudes, and remove barriers for people with disabilities. Learn more at rickhansen.com.