Julie Sawchuk, B.Sc., B.Ed., RHFAC, is a best-selling author, professional speaker and designated Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) professional. Julie combines her experience of living with a spinal cord injury with her passion for helping people make smart decisions when planning for accessibility.
After completing the construction of her own fully accessible home, Julie wrote Build YOUR Space - How to create an accessible home for you, your family and your future. Julie’s home is the only showcase of Universal Design that demonstrates how accessibility is not just functional, but also beautiful. Reading Build YOUR Space will help you make decisions about design and construction that allow for reduced physical energy needs, improved safety, increased independence and the preservation of dignity.
In her second best-selling book, Building Better Bathrooms , Julie and her team of Samantha Proulx and Jane Vorbrodt help readers learn the “why” and the “how” for accessible bathroom design and construction.
Julie has consulted and completed RHFAC ratings on a variety of projects including libraries, recreation centres, apartments, restaurants, small town shops and international airports.
Julie also teaches the program Building Without Barriers, the online platform for Accessible Design & Construction. Courses are offered to architects, OTs, trades and homeowners alike and include Accessible Home Design, Accessible Bathroom and Accessible Kitchen Design and Construction.
As a professional speaker and author, she shares her message about accessibility and inclusion with students, businesses and organizations across Ontario. When you work with Julie, you will enlighten your team, inform your designs and build without barriers.
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