Thanks to a rigorous five-year endeavour to remove barriers and improve accessibility in Terminals 1 and 3, Toronto Pearson has been rated 'Accessibility Certified Gold' by the Rick Hansen Foundation, the highest rating in the organization's Accessibility Certification program measuring meaningful, physical accessibility to buildings and sites.
This accomplishment marks another meaningful step in our journey to make our airport the most accessible in the world.
“Congratulations to Toronto Pearson for this fantastic achievement and for your leadership and commitment to accessibility,” said Rick Hansen, Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation. “An accessible airport is a key step towards ensuring a more holistic and positive travel experience for all.”
More than 1,000,000 passengers with disabilities pass through Toronto Pearson every year. With this certification, Toronto Pearson joins an elite group of recipients recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation for their commitment to accessibility: while more than 1,750 sites have been rated, just over 110 sites have managed to achieve gold status.
Some of the key changes Toronto Pearson has recently made to make the airport more accessible include:
Enhanced Accessibility Features
- Hearing loops were installed to assist people with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
- Added tactile and easy-to-understand signage across terminals, new automatic door openers, and frosted film and colour-contrasting strips on terminal doors to improve visibility.
Upgraded Comfort and Safety
- Increased seating across the terminals with a variety of new indoor and outdoor seats, ensuring ample resting spots throughout the airport.
- Installed over 450 tactile attention indicators, providing crucial cues for travellers who are blind or partially sighted.
- Improved lighting in elevator lobbies and added visual emergency strobes in all public washrooms and parking garages.
Accessible Technology
- Installed over 500 new accessible self-serve kiosks in various airline check-in areas, Canada customs processing spaces, and our parking garages, enhancing ease of use for all passengers.
Modernized Facilities
- Comprehensive upgrades to washrooms with additional accessories, back support on accessible toilets, and enhanced assisted changeroom facilities featuring adjustable shower components and convenient amenities.
Expanded Services and Training
- Partnered with the Canadian Hearing Services to integrate welcome greetings with American Sign Language interpreters on screens around the airport.
- Continued to build upon our in-terminal training sessions with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Service Animal Training Program, allowing new service dogs to learn and practice airport experiences.
- Expanded recognition of the Sunflower Lanyard Program to more airport workers to help support passengers with hidden disabilities.
Learn more about our accessibility at Toronto Pearson.