Building a Barrier-Free Future: Lépine Apartments' Impact on Accessible Living in Canada

September 27th, 2023

Lépine Apartments is a trailblazer in the mission to enhance accessibility in Canada, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to creating barrier-free buildings and apartment homes.

The family-owned company firmly believes that everyone deserves equal access and opportunities in life, and this belief is reflected in the design and construction of Lépine's multi-residential apartment communities across the Ottawa region. Recently, Lépine achieved a significant milestone as two of their communities, The Normand in Kanata and Lépine Lodge in Renfrew, received certification from The Rick Hansen Foundation.

The Rick Hansen Foundation is a nationally recognized organization that grades Canadian real-estate on real, tangible accessible values. It serves as a catalyst for positive change, encouraging organizations to prioritize accessibility and create barrier-free spaces for everyone. The foundation plays a pivotal role in promoting accessibility in the places where we live, work, learn, and play, and advocates for universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible public and private spaces. It is the first program of its kind to comprehensively evaluate a site's level of accessibility, taking into account the user experience of individuals with diverse abilities, including those with mobility, vision, and hearing impairments. To obtain certification, a property must ensure that all essential functional spaces and amenities are physically accessible for everyone.

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Lépine's The Normand is a remarkable multi-residential community comprising 156 apartment homes. Its design draws inspiration from the maritime provinces of Canada, incorporating elements that reflect the unique charm of the region. The Normand offers a wide range of amenities, including a gym, pool, lounge, and green spaces. Throughout the design process, ensuring barrier-free accessibility was of paramount importance. From the amenities to the individual apartment homes, The Normand prioritizes accessibility, creating an environment where everyone can enjoy a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle in their new home. The Normand achieved an impressive 75% rating score and certification level from RHFAC, underscoring its commitment to providing accessible living spaces.

Lépine's commitment to providing equitable access to apartment communities and homes remains unwavering, as the company has plans to complete accessibility audits for other properties, such as Lepine Lodge in Renfrew and Johannes Court in Carleton Place. By conducting these audits, Lepine aims to identify areas where improvements can be made to further enhance accessibility and ensure that individuals of all abilities can find a welcoming and accessible place to call home.

Lépine Apartments is a leader in creating more accessibility in Canada. Through their unwavering commitment to barrier-free buildings and apartment homes, Lépine exemplifies the belief that everyone deserves equal access and opportunities. The certification of The Normand and Carré Saint Louis by The Rick Hansen Foundation is a testament to Lépine's dedication to providing accessible living spaces. With their plans for expansion and ongoing accessibility audits, Lépine continues to prioritize equitable access and strives to create inclusive communities throughout Canada. Moving forward, our intention is to have all future construction evaluated by RHFAC. Howard Grant and Johanne’s Court were designed with the same mindset towards accessibility so they should qualify at a similar level would they ever be formally audited by an RHFAC representative.

With over 10 million square feet of residential construction, Lépine Apartments are well established as a premier builder and landlord in Eastern Ontario, specializing in premium, resort-style, multi-family apartment communities. Each community is meticulously built with strong family values and uncompromising quality, providing Canadians with the opportunity to live a truly carefree lifestyle. Visit Lépine’s website today and start a new lease on lifestyle.

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