Ophea’s Monthly Recognition Spotlight aims to illuminate the bright spots within the education sector through recognizing the critical work being done by community members and value-aligned organizations, and its impact on student and staff well-being. This initiative also aims to strengthen connections between the Ontario education sector with individuals and organizations serving equity-deserving groups through raising awareness of the resources and services available to Ontario educators. Read on to learn about this month’s featured Spotlight, the Rick Hansen Foundation, a charity working to improve the lives of people with disabilities by raising awareness, changing attitudes, and removing barriers in the built environment.
Tell us about your organization.
The Rick Hansen Foundation wants to change the world by removing barriers and enabling the potential of people with disabilities. We do this through innovative solutions that improve accessibility and inclusion such as bringing together leaders from different sectors to grow a social movement to influence policy change and create a cultural shift toward real inclusion; identifying barriers to accessibility and developing and providing tools and resources to remove them, inspiring children and youth to understand diversity and inclusion, and accelerating spinal cord injury research.
One of our programs, the Rick Hansen Foundation School Program (RHFSP), provides educators and schools across Canada with the knowledge and presentations and workshops they need to create more disability-inclusive and accessible K-12 classrooms and communities.
What are some guiding principles that are important to your organization?
To inspire, create, and deliver innovative solutions that accelerate a global movement to remove barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities.
What is a recent initiative that you are proud of?
The RBC Burrier Buster Grants Program. In partnership with RBC and the RBC Foundation, this program celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man In Motion World Tour by empowering communities across Canada. Organizations across Canada can now apply for one of 40 grants of up to $40,000 to remove barriers and improve accessibility in their communities.
What is an upcoming initiative that you are excited about?
The Rick Hansen Foundation School Program (RHFSP) Difference Maker of the Year Awards celebrate and recognize youth between the ages 5-18 years old who are leaders in making a positive impact for inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities in their school or wider community.
Nominations for the 2025-26 school year are now open! Individual award recipients will each receive $500 to recognize their work, while classrooms and youth groups will receive $1,000 to share. Learn more about our past recipients and get inspired with unique ways to make a difference in your school or community.
How can our audience support your organization’s goals?
Explore our free Resource Library and start meaningful conversations about inclusion and accessibility, as well as promoting our initiatives in schools. You can also book free Ambassador presentations and professional development for educators and staff, to expand their understanding of the importance of disability inclusion in the classroom and community.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your organization?
We have several initiatives and programs to raise awareness about accessibility and inclusion for all ages and help remove barriers for people with disabilities.
Follow the Rick Hansen Foundation on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
To learn more, visit the Rick Hansen Foundation website and subscribe to their monthly e-newsletter.
Interested in booking a presentation or workshop for your school? Get in touch with the Rick Hansen Foundation today at [email protected] or [email protected]!
