Public Information for Consumers Background Accessibility is a vital component in achieving the full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of everyday life including access to education, transportation, healthcare, housing, employment and recreation. It is society's responsibility to reduce the barriers that currently prevent this access. In order to make accessibility a reality, it is necessary to identify and eliminate barriers that exist in society, particularly with regard to the physical environment, the provision of public services and emergency services, and information and communications systems. Access can be achieved through various means, including minimum standards development, training, and the promotion of new communication technology or product design, among others. A Universal Design methodology should be followed, which addresses the accessibility needs of all users. There are international and national accessibility standards that need to be understood and applied in order to promote the consistent and appropriate design of accessible features. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD), is an international treaty that identifies the rights of persons with disabilities as well as the obligations on States Parties to the Convention to promote, protect, and ensure those rights. The International Standards Organization ISO 21542 Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment is the first international standard that provides the technical specifications for the development of the built environment. This standard is a collaborative global effort to address the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities regardless of where they reside.

Why Do You Need To Hire a Certified Professional? There are many people, including persons with disabilities and disability organizations (DPOs), providing accessibility services that are required for the development of universally designed environments. There are very few options to recognize these individuals, and their wide range of knowledge, experience, and expertise, in the accessibility field. As accessibility and disability legislation becomes more prevalent, it is imperative that consumers are able to identify qualified, national, and international professionals that specialize in accessibility. While designers, architects, and engineers may possess a good understanding of Universal Design, having certified expertise on the project team will ensure a successful, universally-designed facility and associated public spaces. There are many examples around the world where someone has presented themselves as an expert in the field of accessibility and has ultimately failed to address and implement accessibility adequately. The GAATES International Certification of Accessibility Consultants - Built Environment (ICAC-BE) Program recognizes that there are various levels of knowledge and professional experience and as such provides a choice to consumers seeking professional accessibility and Universal Design services.

GAATES International Certification of Accessibility Consultants - Built Environment (ICAC-BE) Program The International Certification of Accessible Consultants (ICAC) program is based on the promotion of Universal Design of the built environment. While topics such as Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Transportation are key elements that deserve special attention, they are included in this certification program only to the extent of their importance as part of the broader built environment. The program will identify and certify knowledgeable and skilled consultants with the expertise and experience necessary for ensuring accessibility of the built environment following a Universal Design methodology.

The GAATES ICAC-BE Program has been developed following International Standard ISO 17024:2012 – Conformity Assessment – General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons. Discussions have begun with the Standards Council of Canada with the goal to become an internationally recognized accredited certification body by the end of 2018.

GAATES Certified Accessibility Consultant Registry The GAATES ICAC-BE Program maintains an online searchable resource for organizations and design professionals seeking professional accessibility and Universal Design advice on how to develop inclusive environments in accordance with International Codes and Standards, and national and/or local legislation. Three levels have been established:  Associate Accessibility Consultant  Professional Accessibility Consultant  Advanced Accessibility Consultant

Find the Right Professional for You There are three certification levels and each level requires specific knowledge, experience and skills. Associate Accessibility Consultant Consultants certified in this category will have some experience in conducting building assessments/audits and issuing recommendations typically for one specific disability type (i.e. mobility disability, vision impairment, hearing impairment, aging population, etc.) Professional Accessibility Consultant Consultants certified in this category will have a diverse professional background, capable of providing advice for developing universally-designed environments. They will have experience with audits/assessments of both buildings and architectural drawings as well as the the knowledge and expertise to make recommendations with regards to technical specifications and code references.

Further they will have experience in a variety of building and facility types, including those involving public spaces. Experience may be supplemented with specialized training and/or certificates, diplomas or degrees in a specialized body of knowledge. Advanced Accessibility Consultant Consultants certified in this category work from the premise of developing environments following Universal Design best practices and providing in-depth advice for the whole range of human functioning. They have extensive experience with a variety of building types and have demonstrated experience with audits/assessments of both built facilities and architectural drawings for largescale infrastructure projects. Advanced Accessibility Consultants will also possess the expertise and knowledge necessary to make recommendations with regards to technical specifications, including prioritization and costing. They may also have direct experience participating in standards development, are aware of governing legislation at local, national, and international levels, and have in-depth knowledge about the UN CRPD and associated implementation requirements.

All GAATES ICAC-BE consultants are required to adhere to a Code of Ethics. A copy of this document can be accessed on our website.

Cost to Access the Database The following outlines the access fees for the GAATES Certified Accessibility Consultant Registry:  Single Search in Single Country/Region: $50  Unlimited Annual Access to a single region: $200  Unlimited Annual Access with global search capability: $400

How much will it Cost to Hire an Accessibility Consultant? The cost of hiring a GAATES ICAC-BE Certified Accessibility consultant may vary from country to country. Costs may also vary according to the consultant's certification level and other professional qualifications, in addition to the complexity and size of the project. While the consultant database is provided to assist individuals and organizations in finding an appropriate ICAC-BE Accessibility Consultant, any and all contractual agreements remain between the parties and are exclusive of GAATES.

For more information on a details of the ICAC-BE program, or to access the GAATES Certified Accessibility Consultant Registry, please contact the GAATES ICAC Coordinator directly at [email protected]