Accessibility Plan 2007-08
Executive Summary
People with disabilities represent a significant and growing part of our population. According to Statistics Canada, about 1.5 million Ontarians have disabilities - about 13.5% of the population.
The purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) is to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and to provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province. The ODA mandates that all hospitals prepare annual accessibility plans.
To this end, the Accessibility Committee of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has prepared this report. Its aim is to describe measures that we took during 06/07 and will take in 07/08 to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities, including patients, family members, staff, health care practitioners, volunteers and members of the community in the facilities, programs, practices and services we provide.
In 2005, the Accessibility Committee undertook an inclusive process to solicit barrier-reduction initiatives through director-level staff in the hospital. It was felt that by consulting staff from across the hospital, we could concurrently engage staff and advocate for a barrier-free environment. Criteria (high impact, low cost, improved safety, and focused) were identified to help the departmental directors and their staffs identify initiatives. This report will include a summary of initiatives that were completed in 2006-07.
The hospital has also committed to activities and actions for the next 12 months that will be practical, that will utilize existing resources and expertise from within the community and will visibly demonstrate SickKids’ commitment to accessibility planning. The barrier-elimination implementation process incorporates a process of delegated accountability to ensure compliance.
We will collaborate and consult with family and patient groups and external resources with a shared purpose of achieving an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who come to, or access services of SickKids.
The full SickKids Accessibility Plan 2007/08 can be downloaded in pdf format.