ACCESSIBILITY
In 2005, the Government of Ontario passed the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. Its goal is to make Ontario accessible by 2025. As part of this Act, accessibility standards have been created. These standards are rules that businesses and organizations in Ontario need to follow to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities.
As we approach the twentieth anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2025, we will soon reach the timeline outlined in the Act to provide a fully accessible Ontario by 2025. At the North Shore Health Network we are proud of the progress we have made through previous accessibility plans, and are committed continue building on those successes. Our new Multi-Year Accessibility Plan covers a two-year period, and will serve as a bridge to the 2025 date set in the AODA to ensure we do everything possible to meet the needs of the patients, residents, clients, workers, providers, volunteers and community we serve.
NSHN continues to make improvements across all sites to remove barriers in our existing facilities. NSHN is committed to providing people with visible or non-visible disabilities full access to the same services, in the same place and in similar ways as all others receive. We will ensure we meet our vision of one team providing equitable, high quality, integrated rural health and wellness services for everyone.
This multi-year accessibility plan is a roadmap for NSHN’s compliance with the Act. The plan outlines the organization’s strategies and steps we’ve taken, and will take in the future, to ensure that our patients, residents, clients, families, workers, providers, volunteers and community members can access care and services.
OBJECTIVES FOR 2023-2024
-
Update and refresh all accessibility education and training offered.
Review existing policies and standard operating procedures.
Deepen collaboration with the community and with persons with disabilities to inform our decisions.
-
Deepen collaboration with external partners.
Update external job postings to include statements of inclusivity aligned with the EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) strategy.
Track requests for accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure we are offering successful solutions to remove barriers to employment.
Continuously update and improve corporate Emergency Management Plans and Personal Emergency Plans (as required).
Improve the corporate Code Green emergency protocol to ensure that all evacuation plans consider persons with disabilities.
-
Standardize public documents in collaboration with the Document Management Committee.
Improve readability and usefulness of NSHN-created content through clear language.
Ensure that all NSHN digital platforms – including the main website – prioritize AODA compliance.
Ensure persons with disabilities are not excluded from visibility when creating promotional materials for the corporation.
-
Renovations: ensure accessibility is a key consideration in the planning/design of renovations of existing facilities.
Accessible Spaces: review suggestions and act on prioritized project requests to improve accessibility throughout all facilities.
Parking / Sidewalks: Review and enhance accessibility features of sidewalks and parking.
Wayfinding: Ensure all signage is easy to read / interpret, taking accessibility into consideration.
Consultation: Deepen the consultation with persons with disabilities. Ensure integration of accessibility expertise into all parts of the design phase.
COMMITMENT
The North Shore Health Network (NSHN) is committed to providing care and services to our patients, residents and clients and families in a way that respects dignity and independence and considers different needs and abilities. Identifying and removing barriers is an important element of excellent customer service, and ensures that the organization meets the accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.
NSHN will:
continually improve access to NSHN facilities, policies, programs, practices, and services
encourage the participation of individuals with disabilities in the development of the plan
ensure policies and practices are consistent with the principles of accessibility and incorporate accessibility design, criteria or features into procurement and acquisition practices, where possible
promote a culture where all people are treated in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence
meet the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility
provide information related to this plan in accessible formats upon request
“All people, regardless of disability, have equal right of access to services and facilities provided by the North Shore Health Network.”
REPORT A BARRIER