all spaces designedfor all people
We take our responsibility as designers and our impact on
communities seriously and also approach it with enthusiasm because it is an opportunity to make a positive impact every
day. Meaningful accessibility and inclusive design go beyond building code minimums and allow buildings to serve a
diverse community.
our commitment
We are committed to helping create a more inclusive and accessible built environment and strive for this in all of the work we do here at Cover.
We will always advocate for accessibility within the design work that we do and continue to actively seek to improve on our understanding of inclusive design through education, community consultation, and project experience.
Not only is this the right thing to do for people, but it is also the right thing to do for the environment; allowing buildings to adapt and accommodate for changing needs into the future.
approach
Inclusive and Universal Design is a holistic approach and considers the full extent of a user’s experience in the built environment.
Universal Design doesn’t only serve people with disabilities either, a building designed for everyone, helps everyone!
Achieving inclusive design doesn’t need to be difficult, in fact it can be quite easy, but it is important that it be committed to it early on in the design process. It is simply a person-centred approach to design and requires an awareness and appreciation of the diverse needs and abilities of people.
certifications
In recent years, the RHF Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) has helped guide accessible design and has pushed standards forwards for public and commercial buildings. Developed by the Rick Hansen Foundation, the certification program assesses existing and new construction and encourages meaningful accessibility in the built environment.
Cover is proud to have in-house staff that have completed the RHFAC Professional Designation, allowing them to conduct accessibility ratings, and to provide valuable insight and expertise on accessible design within our office.
We provide a variety of accessibility consulting services, including accessibility feasibility reports, existing building accessibility reviews, accessibility reviews of pre-construction projects, and Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) Ratings.