How smart design made Pearson a world leader in accessibility

Over the past few years, hundreds of changes have been made to Pearson’s buildings. Many of them are subtle and easily fly under the radar: a line painted along a curb here; a piece of tactile signage there. But together, they amount to a major investment in making the airport more accessible for all passengers and workers.  

These efforts were recently recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation, which has awarded Terminals 1 and 3 its RHF Accessibility Certified Gold rating – two of 112 buildings to have achieved this in Canada.  

“We want to be the most accessible airport in the world and these changes represent our commitment to removing barriers and improving accessibility,” says Kathy Saliba, Manager of Passenger Care. “We’re proud to play a part in the movement to create a world made for everyone.” 

The team collaborated with Samantha Ryan, a technical accessibility specialist at ABE Factors, and Julie Sawchuck, an accessibility strategist at Sawchuck Accessible Solutions, who uses a manual wheelchair. They walked and rolled through both terminals and their parking structures, following routes taken by passengers and workers. 

“We looked at everything – circulation paths, wayfinding, washrooms, to name a few – to see how people access and use the site,” says Samantha.  

As a result, more than 1,000 improvements have been made. “It was a huge undertaking, but it was very worthwhile,” says Kathy.  

Here’s a look at some of the key changes, with Samantha’s take on why they’re important.  

Emergency signals 

What’s new: 136 strobe lights that flash during fire alarms have been added to washrooms, chapels, the lost-and-found office and the parking structure’s elevator lobbies.  

Why it matters: Although the major terminal areas were already equipped, these visual alert devices were absent from smaller spaces where building codes hadn’t required them at the time of construction.  

Samantha’s take: “This was crucial. For example, people are often alone in a universal washroom and if they can’t hear a fire alarm, then they need that visual indicator to know that there is an emergency.”  

Seating 

What’s new: Nearly 160 seats have been added near entry doors, at curbsides and at strategic points throughout the terminals. 

Why it matters: Walking to some of the farthest gates can really rack up the step count, making them less accessible. Having seats located every 30 metres ensures that those who need to can rest along the way.  

Samantha’s take: “We all have different ergonomic needs and preferences, so there are various types of benches – ones with armrests, ones without; with back support or not. We made sure that seating is easy to find through colour contrast. For example, in outdoor areas, new seating is black or blue to stand out from the somewhat concrete environment.”  

Glass doors  

What’s new: At entrances, a frosted film has been added to glass walls next to the glass sliding doors and distinct vision strips have been added to the doors themselves.  

Why it matters: It can be difficult to identify glass doors within a glass wall as it all tends to looks the same. The contrast-enhancing treatment makes the doors more obvious. 

Samantha’s take: “We’re the look-down generation – we’re always distracted by our phones and walking into things. So, whether you’re partially sighted or not, this new design prevents accidents by subconsciously guiding you toward the doors.” 

Hearing loops  

What’s new: An additional 50 hearing loops have been installed at check-in desks and service counters.   

Why it matters: Hearing loops transmit sound over a wireless signal that is picked up by a receiver in a user’s hearing aid. They provide excellent sound quality and are compatible with a wide range of hearing aids. 

Samantha’s take: “The cool thing about hearing loop systems is that they allow people who use them to have easier conversations while remaining relatively invisible.”  

Interfaith chapels 

What’s new: In the Terminal 1 chapel, a raised platform for speakers to use has been removed and an adjustable height podium has been installed.    

Why it matters: The chapels are heavily used, and removing the step-up platform was an equalizer – figuratively and literally.  

Samantha’s take: “Although someone in a wheelchair could have presented next to the platform, that’s not really fair – it segregated them by not providing the same opportunity. We had to recognize that, and the result was the platform’s removal. It was no small feat, but it was a neat project to see come through.”   

Efforts to remove barriers continue. “Being an accessibility leader means always looking for ways to improve,” says Kathy. “If you’ve experienced an accessible space recently that inspired you, we’d love to hear about it.”  

You can share your inspirations with the team by reaching out in any of the ways listed at the bottom of the accessibility page on the Pearson website.