Task force reviewing accessibility barriers

Disabilities can be temporary or permanent, affecting a wide range of patients and visitors to the Niagara Health sites. Ensuring programs and services are fully accessible is everyone’s responsibility at the hospital.

A new Ontario regulation came into effect Jan. 1 that requires public sector organizations to provide systems, structures and education so people with disabilities receive service without barriers.

The new Accessibility Standards for Customer Service makes it the NHS’s responsibility to identify and remove barriers. Barriers to communication/customer service could be attitudinal (lacking a policy/procedure), technological (registration desk at the wrong height), or physical (cluttered hallways). Non-compliance can carry a fine of $100,000 to the organization and $50,000 to an individual manager.

There are 10 main principles in the legislation being addressed by the NHS’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Task Force, including an accessibility customer service policy, procedures and practices, staff training, a feedback method, alternative communication methods, and notice of service disruption. The Task Force is actively addressing awareness, promotion and implementation, and it is developing a sustainability plan.

Currently, the NHS has four overarching policies and programs which incorporate the principles of accessibility legislation. These include patient/client-centred care, patient safety, principles of fair and just culture, and the patient bill of rights. An additional AODA policy is under review.

Full compliance with Accessibility Standards for Customer Service builds on systems in place and will enhance a positive, safe and healthy environment to satisfy customers and support retention of quality healthcare professionals.

User-friendly information and education programs will soon be available on source•net. An accessibility icon is now a quick link at the top of the main source•net page, which provides a link to information and resources.

For more information, please contact a member of the Task Force – Rita Strickland, Eric Doucette or Tracy Fattore.  «