Ottawa International Airport in Canada has received the Accessibility Certified Gold rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program.
The rating, announced on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, recognizes that the airport offers the required level of accessibility. Notable accessibility features at Ottawa include: a strategic wayfinding system that is consistent throughout the building; a variety of seating options, with and without arm rests; and universal washrooms with accessible features such as adult-size change tables and emergency call systems. The airport also offers roll-up, automatic drinking fountains; a variety of flooring options, in particular carpeting that is easy to roll on; and accessible parking with direct access to the pedestrian walkways that lead to the elevator lobbies.
“The airport terminal, which opened in 2003, was built with accessibility in mind. As building code and accessibility standards have evolved over the years, along with the needs of the community, the Authority has endeavoured to not only keep up, but to exceed these standards as it strives to provide the best possible passenger experience,” said Mark Laroche, president and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority.
RHFAC is the first program to rate meaningful access, based upon the holistic user experience of people with varying disabilities affecting their mobility, vision and hearing. To date, over 1,200 buildings have been rated through the program.
