Certified Accessible—But Is It Really?

When people hear Rick Hansen Foundation Certification, they recognize the name. It’s often seen as a stamp of approval for accessibility, much like how LEED is for sustainability. But does certification alone mean a space is truly accessible? Not always.

A space can be certified but still has barriers because checklists and scores don’t always reflect the real-life experiences of people who use the space. True accessibility goes beyond checklists. It’s about ensuring spaces work for people of all abilities in real-life scenarios, not just meeting a set of predetermined criteria.

Why Certification is a Starting Point, Not the Finish Line!

Certification programs can be a valuable tool for benchmarking accessibility, but they shouldn’t be the final goal. The risk comes when organizations rely solely on a score or a plaque on the wall instead of engaging with people who experience accessibility barriers every day.

One of the biggest issues? RHF certification often evaluates a single element in a space without ensuring the same level of accessibility is applied consistently throughout.

We’ve seen spaces with impressive certifications that still fall short in practice:

? A building may have the required number of accessible entrances, but if the doors are too heavy to open independently or lack automatic openers, how usable are they for everyone?

? A venue might offer accessible seating, but if there aren’t enough spaces to meet demand, if sightlines are obstructed, or if there’s no room for a companion, is it truly inclusive?

? A workplace may have an accessible entrance, but if meeting rooms, restrooms, and common areas remain difficult to navigate, is accessibility really integrated into the space?

? A building may have Braille signage, but if the signs are placed inconsistently, mounted incorrectly, or fail to provide meaningful navigation, how effective are they for someone navigating independently?

? A venue may advertise accessibility, but if there’s no hearing loop in meeting rooms or at guest services, how inclusive is it for people who are hard of hearing?

These are real-world usability challenges that checklists don’t always account for.

The Vancouver Airport Example: A Certified Space with Barriers

A great example of this is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). YVR proudly holds RHF Gold Certification, the highest level of certification offered by the Rick Hansen Foundation, yet it still has fundamental accessibility barriers. One major issue? Accessible washrooms at YVR do not have push buttons.

Imagine being a traveller using a mobility device, navigating a busy airport with a carry-on bag, only to find that every "accessible" washroom requires you to physically push open a heavy door. If no accessible washrooms have push buttons, how can they truly be considered accessible? This forces people with mobility challenges to struggle with opening doors while managing their luggage—an unnecessary and avoidable barrier in a modern airport.

This isn’t a minor oversight. It’s a clear example of how certification alone does not guarantee real accessibility.

Moving Beyond Compliance to Real Accessibility

At Level Playing Field, we work with organizations to go beyond certification and focus on accessibility that is functional, user-friendly, and built for everyone. That means:

?? Engaging with people who have lived experience to understand actual needs, not just compliance requirements.

?? Ensuring accessibility is woven into the fabric of the design process, rather than an afterthought.

?? Considering the full spectrum of accessibility, physical, sensory, cognitive, and beyond.

We’ve seen organizations take the right approach, prioritizing usability over a checklist. Some venues consult with accessibility experts and people with disabilities from concept to completion, ensuring that every element of their space works seamlessly for all users.

Certification can be valuable, but it should never be the final goal. Because at the end of the day, accessibility isn’t about a plaque on the wall or a press release—it’s about whether someone can move, navigate, and participate in a space with dignity and ease.

So, if you're an organization looking at accessibility, ask yourself:

?? Are we designing for people or for a certification?

?? Does our space actually work for everyone, or does it just meet a scoring system?

If you want to create spaces that truly work, let’s talk about what real accessibility looks like.

#UniversalDesign #BeyondCompliance #TrueAccessibility #InclusiveDesign