The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is intended to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities by identifying, removing and preventing barriers to their full participation in the life of the province. The ODA requires that hospitals prepare an annual accessibility plan in consultation with persons with disabilities that includes identifying barriers to access for persons with disabilities and strategies to remove and prevent these barriers.

As a Complex Continuing Care facility, Runnymede Healthcare Centre (RHC) has a long history of ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities, particularly physical disabilities. This Accessibility Plan provides a framework for the Hospital to build on achievements in this area in continuing to respond to the needs of patients, visitors, staff and the community through leadership in the area of accessibility.

Accessibility planning is an ongoing process, recognized as a key component in planning for RHC's redevelopment and construction of a new facility. The ODA provides for enhanced awareness of the range of potential barriers and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with our stakeholders, ensuring that accessibility is an integral component of RHC's philosophy and ongoing planning.

Aim

RHC's Accessibility Plan is prepared annually and in consultation with persons with disabilities. The Plan describes measures the Hospital has taken in the past and measures that will be taken, within existing resources, to remove and prevent identified barriers for persons with disabilities who live, work in or visit the Hospital.

Objectives

The Plan will:

• Outline the process by which RHC will identify and address barriers to persons with disabilities.
• Review, on an annual basis, efforts to address barriers to persons with disabilities and identify those areas that will be reviewed in the coming year.
• Describe how RHC will make this plan available to the public.

Description of Runnymede Healthcare Centre

Runnymede Healthcare Centre is a 95-bed complex continuing care facility providing patient-focused multidisciplinary care to adults with chronic, progressive diseases including progressive neurological diseases such as Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

RHC has operated in a 1908 school building since 1945. Planning is now well underway for a new state-of-the-art 200-bed complex continuing care facility to be constructed on the current site.

Our Mission is to provide specialized therapeutic chronic care (complex continuing care) to adults primarily from the Greater Metropolitan Toronto area who are affected by severe, long-term disorders and who require continuing interdisciplinary care. We offer an innovative team approach to care of patients with progressive neurological disorders, thereby serving as a centre of expertise for professional and community care providers from a variety of healthcare settings.

Excerpt: Mission Statement, Runnymede Healthcare Centre

Accessibility Working Group

RHC's President and C.E.O. identified the Hospital's Environmental Team along with some additional representatives including patients and family members, to oversee the process for development of an Accessibility Plan, implement the approved Plan and make the Plan available to the public.

Commitment to Accessibility Planning

RHC's Board of Directors approved an Accessibility Planning Policy:

Runnymede Healthcare Centre is committed to policies and practices that are consistent with the principles of accessibility.

Previous Barrier Removal Initiatives

• Elevators Elevator door sensors installed and the door speed reduced to provide safer access and keep elevator doors from closing prematurely.
• Barrier-Free Access and Safe Crossing Zone to Garden A barrier-free door was installed, a step removed and a 30' x 30' flush concrete pad at the entranceway completed to provide access to the building for persons in wheelchairs. A safe crossing area was developed for patients exiting the building to the garden.
• Wheelchair Accessible Public Washroom A washroom in the basement level was renovated to improve accessibility for persons in wheelchairs.
• Public Telephones Public telephones were mounted lower on the wall enabling access for persons in wheelchairs.
• Space Utilization Review conducted, relocation of chairs in storage resulting in reduced clutter and safer access in corridors and rooms.
• Interpreters A list of available interpreters updated and available to departments should the need for translation of information be required.
• Patient Call Bell System Reviewed and individualized to each patient as appropriate.
• Shower/Tub Rooms Redesigned to improve access and safety; installed therapeutic bathtubs on both patient units to improve patient comfort and care.
• Code Red Instruction signs have both written and pictorial instructions.

Some barriers have been identified for which solutions were considered not to be feasible given the age of the building and redevelopment plans.

Prioritization of Barriers Identified

Prioritizing identified barriers to access is a key process in determining which barriers need consideration for the following year. For RHC, issues related to fiscal constraint and feasibility especially in light of new facility planning were considered.

Major criteria for determining priorities included:

• barrier has an impact on the safety of patients or staff
• barrier is a violation of code or regulation
• barrier removal is feasible in that a practical solution is readily available and implementable
• barrier removal is cost-effective and resources are available
• barrier presents a high degree of inaccessibility
• relationship to scheduled redevelopment
• barrier removal will impact positively on patient/staff satisfaction

Barriers to be Addressed in 2004/2005

Type of Barrier: Policies/ Procedures
Action:
- Initial Board-approved Accessibility Planning Policy
- Review/revision of applicable policies/procedures related to accessibility
- Include accessibility in quality monitoring and reporting process
Evaluation: Monitoring by the Accessibility Working Group (AWG)
Resources: Staff time
Timing: Board Policy complete Other policy/ procedure review by March 2005
Responsibility:AWG & EAC

Type of Barrier: Communication/ Hospital Website
Action: Update Hospital Website to incorporate information about Accessibility planning
Evaluation: Monitor feedback
Resources: Staff time Design costs
Timing: TBD
Responsibility: Information Support Team

Type of Barrier: Staff Education and Awareness
Action:
- Include Accessibility Planning in new staff orientation
- Board education session
- Annual display for staff
Evaluation: Monitor feedback
Resources: Staff time
Timing: January 2005
Responsibility: AWG & Education Manager

Type of Barrier: Physical
Action: Replace numbers on pay telephones with larger size numbers
Evaluation: Monitor feedback
Resources: Minimal
Timing: March 2005
Responsibility: AWG & Bell Canada

Review and Monitoring Process

Progress with respect to the Annual Accessibility Plan will be reviewed on a regular basis throughout the year by the Accessibility Working Group. Reports will be made to the Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) and the Board regarding the status of plans and to ensure that these issues are integrated into the Hospital's annual planning and redevelopment processes.

Communication of the Plan

The Accessibility Plan will be posted on Runnymede Healthcare Centre's website. Hard copies will be made available on request.