The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is pleased to announce that its Blue Water Bridge customer-oriented facilities in Point Edward, Ontario have secured the prestigious Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification. This rigorous assessment, backed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), measures the physical facilities against standards and best practices for effective accessibility, grades that level of accessibility, and provides valuable information on how to improve.
The FBCL’s Blue Water Bridge facilities are the first of a land border crossing to be certified under the program. To date, approximately 750 other organizations representing municipalities, other public sector facilities, and privately held companies, have achieved certification. FBCL’s primary focus for the assessment was on public accessibility, and consisted of several buildings at the plaza including those where Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) operates.
Additional assessments were conducted regarding employee accessibility. FBCL Chief Executive Officer, Natalie Kinloch, positively received the news regarding the certification and commented, “FBCL is committed to providing all Canadians with access at this important border crossing, as well as being an employer of choice for people with disabilities who can contribute to our ongoing success. This certification demonstrates FBCL’s incessant drive to offer the most open, accessible and welcoming crossings for all Canadians and visitors.”
FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario. FBCL’s mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.
More information about the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification program can be found at https://www.rickhansen.com/become-accessible.