Through the power of his own story and the inspiration he’s found in others, Rick Hansen shares his vision and inspires audiences to join his journey to create an accessible, healthy and inclusive world, where people of all abilities can fully participate and contribute.
By reflecting on our own actions and beliefs, we can challenge existing standards and dream up new ones – ones that foster hope, inspiration and acceptance. Hansen encourages us all to fight for accessibility as a human right.
Anything is possible if we have the courage to try.
Registration is now closed.
We look forward to seeing you at the lecture.
Speaker: Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C., is a Canadian icon who has dedicated his life to awakening the world to the potential of people with disabilities. He is best known as the “Man In Motion” for undertaking an epic 26-month, 40,000 km journey around the world in his wheelchair.
Hansen is also a three-time world champion, nine-time Pan Am gold medalist and six-time Paralympic medalist. He is the founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation, an organization committed to creating an inclusive world where people with disabilities are living to their full potential.
For more than three decades, Hansen and his team have been focused on the removal of barriers. Currently, Hansen and the Foundation are rethinking how people of all ages and abilities access spaces where we live, work, learn and play. The Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification™ (RHFAC) is the only program that rates, certifies and showcases accessible buildings based on their level of meaningful access for persons with mobility, vision and hearing disabilities. To date, more than 1,915 sites across Canada have been rated through the program.
Rick Hansen will receive an Honorary Doctorate at the University of Waterloo Faculty of Health convocation ceremony on June 11.
Program
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:30 p.m. |
Doors open; live stream link goes live Health Expansion Building (HLTH EXP), Room 1689 |
|
7 p.m. |
Welcome and introductions Speakers: Elder Myeengun Henry, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, Faculty of Health Dr. Lili Liu, Dean, Faculty of Health |
|
7:15 p.m. |
Lecture Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C |
|
7:45 p.m. |
Audience questions and answers |
|
8 p.m. |
Community reception (in person only) Health Expansion Building Foyer |
Parking
Parking will be available for a $7 Fee in Lots R (across from the Health Expansion Building) and Lot N (first left on Ring Road, if entering from Columbia St.).
Accessible parking is available upon request; please email trthoban@uwaterloo.ca.
We encourage those joining us from on campus with monthly parking passes to park in their designated lots for the event. Thank you!
About the lecture series
The Hallman Lecture Series brings leading thinkers to University of Waterloo to engage the public on topics of health, well-being and health behaviour change. Established through a generous professorial endowment, this series aims to foster intellectual curiosity and the exchange of ideas amongst the general public, students, public health practitioners, educators and other professionals.