Webinar Details
- Date: Apr 23rd 2026
- Time: 11am PST / 12pm MT / 1 pm CST / 2 pm ET
- Platform: Online
Speakers
Samantha Ryan
Samantha Ryan (Proulx) C.E.T, RHFAC, is a leading Canadian technical accessibility specialist and nationally recognized accessibility compliance consultant with over 15 years of experience working on some of Canada’s largest and most complex building spaces including Calgary’s new home of the Flames (Scotia Place), Toronto Pearson International Airport and the 2026 Grey Cup Event. She is also a co-author of the Amazon best seller “Building Better Bathrooms”. Samantha sits on or Chairs various national accessibility technical committees including Accessible Standards Canada Emergency Egress for Persons with Disabilities, ASC’s Accessible Ready Housing Committee, Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) Accessibility Committee, Canadian Standards Association CSA B651, and the RHFAC Technical Committee. She is the former chair of the NRC Accessibility Task Group, and Chair of Canada’s first Accessible Dwelling Standard CSA B652. Her expertise and ability to easily navigate accessibility codes, standards, regulations and legislation on behalf of her clients consistently pays tribute to greater inclusion of buildings and advancing accessible spaces for everyone.
Brieann Ventura
Brieann Ventura, CTech, RHFAC, is a Technical Accessibility Specialist and inter-provincially trained Building Code Consultant with over 10 years of experience interpreting a wide range of Building Codes and standards. Her project portfolio includes complex mixed-use developments, civic facilities, transportation hubs, industrial spaces, and more. She contributes her expertise to several national accessibility technical committees, including Accessible Standards Canada’s Accessible-Ready Modular Homes and the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) Accessibility Committee. In addition to her committee work, Brieann is active in the community, delivering code presentations and training sessions to professionals across the built environment sector. With a focus on creating spaces that are functional, aesthetically thoughtful, and intrinsically inclusive, she brings both technical precision and design innovation to her work. Her passion for architecture is driven by a continual pursuit of knowledge and a deep interest in how built environments shape, and are shaped by, human experience.
Overview
This technical webinar will explore emerging developments in accessibility within the fire and life safety framework, with particular focus on Part 3 and Section 3.8 Accessibility of the National Building Code of Canada – 2023 Alberta Edition. Participants will receive an update on the evolving regulatory landscape, including national and provincial initiatives from Safety Codes Council, Accessible Standards Canada’s Egress for Persons with Disabilities Committee and ongoing work by the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC). The session will also discuss how practical accessibility considerations can be incorporated into fire and life safety strategies beyond minimum code requirements. Practical examples will highlight accessible design elements, such as areas of refuge, and how these features support safe evacuation and more equitable life safety outcomes for all building occupants, including persons with disabilities.
Learning Outcomes:
· Identify key accessibility requirements within Part 3 and Section 3.8 of the National Building Code of Canada – 2023 Alberta Edition
· Understand current and emerging regulatory developments
· Evaluate the role of accessible design elements in supporting safe evacuation for occupants with disabilities.
· Apply accessibility considerations to fire and life safety strategies that move beyond minimum code compliance and support more equitable and inclusive building design
Who Should Attend?
This webinar is designed for professionals, students, regulators, and enthusiasts across various sectors who are eager to learn and expand their horizons. Whether you are looking to gain insights into the latest industry trends, or simply curious about new technologies, this event is for you.