The Ottawa International Airport was awarded an Accessibility Certified Gold rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program.

Some of the notable accessibility features at the Ottawa terminal include:

• a consistent, strategic wayfinding system throughout the building,
• a variety of seating options, with and without arm rests,
• universal washrooms with accessible features such as adult-size change tables and emergency call systems,
• roll-up, automatic drinking fountains,
• a variety of flooring options, in particular carpeting that is easy to roll on, and
• a parkade facility with accessible parking with direct access to the pedestrian walkways that lead to the elevator lobbies for safe movement.

“The airport terminal was built with accessibility in mind,” said Ottawa International Airport Authority president and CEO Mark Laroche. “As building code and accessibility standards have evolved over the years, the authority has endeavoured to not only keep up, but also to exceed these standards. We are delighted to have achieved this exceptional level of certification.”

RHFAC rates the level of meaningful access in commercial, institutional and multi-residential buildings and sites. It is the first of its kind, and its findings are based on the user experiences of people with varying disabilities affecting their mobility, vision and hearing. To date, over 1,200 buildings have been rated through the program.

"My sincerest congratulations to the Ottawa International Airport on this remarkable achievement," said Rick Hansen, founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “Your commitment to creating an accessible environment for everyone who travels through the airport – whether it be employees, tourists, or people returning home – demonstrates a true leader in creating a Canada where everyone can go everywhere. Your leadership sets the bar for others across our country and the globe to follow suit.”

The airport authority has pledged to continue its efforts to ensure that its facility evolves with changing accessibility needs.