YVR named most accessible airport in the world

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Vancouver International Airport has reached a gold standard when it comes to accessibility, the first airport in the world to do so, according to the transportation hub.

The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program is said to be the first program to measure the level of “meaningful access beyond building code.” The program looks at user experience of people with different disabilities that affect their mobility, vision, and hearing.

The airport rated 93 out of 100 points.

“This year, YVR will welcome a record 25 million passengers and for us, it’s very important that every one of these passengers has a seamless and comfortable airport experience,” said Craig Richmond in a release, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Accessibility is one of our top priorities and is a key part of our success as a world-class
hub.”

Rick Hansen with the Rick Hansen Foundation says the milestone is a cause for celebration.

“Everything they do has now been done through the lens of accessibility and inclusion thanks to the leadership of YVR,” Hansen adds. “This standard will be normal in the future.”

He points out not all disabilities are visible, and he’d like the airport to continue to look at ways to create a seamless experience for everyone.

Hansen, who’s the first athlete to circle the world in a wheelchair, says this latest achievement will inspire other airports to make similar improvements.

“Because people are making a change and we’re trying to achieve the Canada we want, an accessible and inclusive country, we need to have common measurement standards.”

Across B.C., more than 1,100 buildings are registered to be rated under this certification process.

-With files from Hana Mae Nassar and Marcella Bernardo