Accessibility Plan
St. John's Rehab is committed to reducing barriers to access for people with disabilities. An action plan is prepared annually, as required under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The purpose of these plans are to identify existing barriers for individuals with disabilities, and ways to remove these barriers.
2007-2008 Action Plan to Reduce Barriers to Access for Ontarians with Disabilities
- Introduction
- Summary of recent barrier removal initiatives
- Barrier identification methodologies
- Barriers identified and action plan for 2007/08
- Communication of the annual plan
- Appendix A: membership and terms of reference - Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee
In September 2002, the Ministry of Citizenship of Ontario proclaimed additional sections of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act that required hospitals and other public sector organizations to prepare annual accessibility plans. These plans are to identify existing barriers for individuals with disabilities, and ways to remove these barriers. The focus of the act is on:
- Physical and architectural design of barriers within the premises
- Information or communication barriers
- Attitudinal barriers
- Technological barriers
- Policies and practices
In response to the new sections of the Act, St. John’s Rehab Hospital formed an Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee to:
- Review recent measures taken to remove barriers
- Brainstorm areas of focus for current and future fiscal years
- Develop the annual accessibility plan; and
- Develop a plan for publicizing and communicating the plan Membership and Terms of Reference of this Committee are included as Appendix A to the report.
Summary of recent barrier removal initiatives
a) Physical and Architectural Barriers
Over the past several years, St. John’s Rehab Hospital has continued to review the needs of patients, visitors and staff to meet the needs of upgrading older parts of a 1935 – 1975 constructed facility. As part of this review, we have taken significant steps to reduce the barriers in the Hospital in conformance with codes and standards. The following list highlights examples of measures taken to reduce barriers for access for Ontarians with disabilities:
- Installed a concrete ramp in the Margery Warren Garden area to improve accessibility.
- Reviewed location of grab bars in public washrooms to ensure that they are at an optimal height to ensure patient/visitor safety.
- Accessibility issues were considered as part of the planning for the capital expansion and redevelopment project.
- Upgraded elevator in Beatty Wing to: provide Braille plates and audible chimes for the visually impaired enhance sensor to keep doors open when riders are entering or exiting the elevator
b) Attitudinal Barriers
St. John’s Rehab is also committed to removing attitudinal barriers for individuals with disabilities. An information booth was set up for staff, patients and visitors to help raise awareness about accessibility barriers.
c) Information or Communication Barriers
A TTY/TDD phone was purchased and is made available for employees and patients with hearing impairments. Sign language interpretation can be provided by the Hospital through a contract service.
d) Technological Barriers
Through an upgrade, the Hospital’s external website offers the option to increase font sizes for easier viewing for those who have sight impairments.
Barrier identification methodologies
The Committee used the following barrier-identification methodologies:
| Methodology/Description | Status |
| Review of government requirements / legislation | Completed |
| Review of accessibility tool-kit | Completed |
| Feedback from surveys | Completed |
| Feedback from comment cards | Ongoing |
Barriers identified and action plan for 2007/08
a) Physical and Architectural Barriers
Even though the Hospital has introduced a number of initiatives to remove physical and architectural barriers for the disabled, we are committed to focusing on improvements. Specific areas of focus for fiscal 2007/2008, and future years, include:
- Continue to upgrade existing elevators to: install Braille plates and audible chimes for the visually impaired enhance sensor to keep doors open when riders are entering or exiting the elevator
- Visual alerts to fire alarms will be included in the upgrade to a new fire alarm system in conjunction with the Hospital’s new building expansion
- Signage in all areas of the Hospital will be reviewed in conjunction with the new building expansion to ensure improved ease of recognition.
- Review access issues related to the location of the Laundromat and recommend solutions.
- Review location of paper towel dispensers in washrooms to ensure that they are at an optimal height to ensure patient/visitor safety.
- Review location of the salad bar in the cafeteria to ensure that it is at an optimal height to ensure patient/visitor safety.
- Investigate the feasibility of having raised seats and benches in public areas of the Hospital.
- Continue to advocate the City of Toronto for the installation of a cross-walk on Cummer Avenue at the end of the Hospital driveway
b) Attitudinal Barriers
St. John’s Rehab Hospital will have annual awareness days and ongoing educational initiatives to increase awareness of staff regarding accessibility issues. An ODA brochure has been developed and will be distributed to all new staff members at orientation.
c) Information or Communication Barriers
The Hospital will investigate the feasibility of providing large-print patient education materials in-house for individuals who have sight impairments. The Hospital will also include additional visual aids in its publications to ensure they are easy to understand. Temporary signage will be installed where necessary until permanent signage are installed in 2010 as part of the Hospital’s Capital Redevelopment and Expansion Project.
The Committee will also invite current or former patients to conduct a tour of the Hospital to provide suggestions and feedback regarding accessibility issues.
Communication of the annual plan
a) Objective
St. John’s Rehab will continue to communicate the Hospital’s support for the enactment of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act and its efforts to identify and eliminate barriers for people with disabilities. Our plan for fiscal 2007/2008 identifies goals, which can be used as a foundation to build upon in future annual accessibility plans.
b) Key Audiences
- Patients, visitors, staff, physicians, students and volunteers with and without disabilities
- Community partners
- Patient representatives
c) Strategies
- Enhance communications vehicles to make accessibility plan publicly available and to highlight steps taken to reduce barriers
- Integrate sensitivity access issues into existing customer service initiatives
- Continue to educate managers, staff, physicians, students and volunteers about the accessibility plan, the Hospital’s commitment to improving accessibility and expectations for all staff
d) Vehicles
1. Utilize existing communications vehicles to make accessibility plan widely available to the community:
- Distribute ODA brochure to appropriate areas in the Hospital and integrate content of Action plan into existing patient communication
- Article in St. John’s Rehab publications
2. Educate managers, staff, physicians, volunteers and students
- Appropriate materials to be included at Staff Orientation
- Brief message and appropriate materials for volunteer orientation
- Posting of accessibility plan, implementation plan, and Questions and Answers on St. John’s Rehab Hospital’s internet
- Articles in News and Views addressing identified barrier types (i.e. physical and architectural barriers, informational or communication barriers, attitudinal barriers and technological barriers) and other accessibility related issues
e) Evaluation
- A survey will be conducted annually with staff/patients/visitors/ volunteers regarding accessibility issues at St. John’s Rehab
- Comment Cards is continuously used to invite feedback from patients/visitors/staff/volunteers regarding issues of accessibility. The Hospital has a process for tracking, analyzing and addressing all concerns. Feedback related to accessibility issues will be brought to the attention of the Hospital’s Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee for discussion and resolution.
Appendix A - Membership and Terms of Reference Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee
1. Purpose
The Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee was formed in response to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act that required hospitals and other public sector organizations to prepare annual accessibility plans. These plans are to identify existing barriers for individuals with disabilities, and ways to remove these barriers.
2. Accountability
The Vice-President, Corporate Services and CFO is accountable for the work of the Committee.
3. Decision Making Authority
The Ontarians with Disabilities Action Committee ensures that all barriers to accessibility are identified and prioritized for timely removal. The Committee reviews and recommends various methods for the removal of barriers. Barriers are not limited to the physical plant.
4. Responsibilities
- To prepare, review and publish the annual accessibility plan.
- To prepare, review and implement barrier removal plans.
- To review and address concerns regarding barriers and provide recommendations.
5. Chairperson
Director, Environmental Services
6. Membership
- Vice-President, Corporate Services and CFO
- Manager, Clinical Informatics
- Director, Human Resources
- Public Affairs representative
- Director, Environmental Services
- Clinical staff representative
- Admin/Support staff representative
- Auxiliary Member
7. Frequency of Meetings
Meetings will be held on a minimum quarterly basis.
8. Quorum
50% attendance is the normal minimum requirement for a meeting, subject to the call of the chairperson.