1. Baycrest Accessibility Plan Introduction

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1. Baycrest Accessibility Plan Introduction
Ensuring that Baycrest is accessible to as many people as
possible has always been important. Annually, Senior
Management and the Board of Directors approve Baycrest's
Accessibility Plan. This is a dynamic document that ensures
Baycrest is continually striving to identify and remove all
barriers that prevent a person with disabilities from fully
participating in our facilities, programs and services, policies
and practices.
Our approach to accessibility also goes beyond the
identification and removal of barriers. It advocates, education
and research, as well as our provision of care and treatment
which is guided by our mission to enrich the lives of the
elderly.
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2. Accessibility Plan Overview
Purpose
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The original Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA) was passed on December 14 , 2001 and
became law as of that date. In 2005 the act was updated to include revisions including an
“accessibility standards advisory council”.
The ODA is designed so that cities, towns and other municipalities; hospitals; school boards; colleges
and universities; public transportation providers; government ministries and agencies; the private
sector and people with disabilities can take part in making Ontario a more accessible province.
The Act mandates that every hospital prepare, each year, an “Accessibility Plan”, which includes
consultation with persons with disabilities in preparing the Plan.
The Plan is to address the identification and removal of barriers to persons with disabilities in the
hospital's bylaws, if any, policies, programs, practices and services.
Any organization that is required to prepare an accessibility plan and make it available to the public,
but does not do so, is guilty of an offence and, if convicted, can be fined up to $50,000.
For Baycrest, the term “hospital” means Centre-wide application.
The following Plan is a living document that will guide Baycrest's approach to accessibility.
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3. Baycrest´s Approach to Accessibility
Integrated into the fabric of Baycrest and its "Values" is "Respect". Respect comes with the
understanding that each person is unique with intrinsic dignity and worth.
"Baycrest will continually strive to identify and remove all barriers that prevent a person with
disabilities from fully participating within our facilities, programs and services, policies and
practices."
Barriers refer to physical, architectural, informational or communicative, attitudinal, technological,
policy, and practice.
(see Appendix A).
Disabilities include physical, hearing, speech, vision, deaf-blind, smell, taste, touch, intellectual,
mental health, learning, other.
(see Appendix B).
As a health care provider, Baycrest´s approach to accessibility goes beyond the identification and
removal of barriers. It also includes advocacy, education and research, as well as the provision of
care and treatment as guided by our Mission to "Enrich the Lives of the Elderly". Baycrest also has a
history of offering volunteer opportunities to persons who have a variety of special needs.
The original Accessibility Working group at Baycrest created an initial, formal plan that identified
issues and opportunities aimed at improving Accessibility at the Centre (see Appendix C).
The ongoing search for improvement in Accessibility and to maintain our plan annually, in accordance
with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, is coordinated by the Environmental Team at Baycrest
(see Appendix D).
A variety of references are available for further review (see Appendix E).
The Board of Directors and Senior Management endorse and approve the Accessibility Plan for
Baycrest.
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4. Description of Baycrest
Baycrest is comprised of a number of facilities, programs and services. The campus is located on 19
acres of land on Bathurst Street in Toronto (formerly North York). It comprises a total of six buildings
which add up to 1.3 million square feet of physical space.
Approximately 1000 patients and residents live at Baycrest, and a number of outpatients, family
members and other visitors who visit Baycrest on a daily basis. Approximately 1700 staff and over
3000 volunteers work and volunteer at Baycrest. Students, contractors and other members of the
public also frequent Baycrest on a daily basis.
Main Complex
Baycrest Hospital
A seven-storey, 365,000 square foot building built in 1985. The 300-bed Hospital specializes in
Rehabilitation, Mental Health, and Complex Continuing Care. There are onsite Ambulatory Clinics,
including outpatient services.
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Apotex Centre Jewish Home for the Aged
A seven-storey, 388,000 square foot building built in 2000. The 472-bed Apotex Centre is a long-term
care facility with the 7th floor specializing in residents with stroke and cognition.
Posluns Building
A four-storey, 50,000 square foot building built in 1954. The 1st and 2nd floors are used by Support
Services to house the food services and receiving dock operations. The 3rd and 4th floor are office
related clinical areas and are visited by outpatients attending appointments.
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Brain Health Centre
A ten-storey, 256,000 square foot building built in 1967. The upper floors are used by Research, with
primarily office and test/lab facilities. Access is usually restricted to research and other administrative
staff. Research subjects will visit the area as per appointment.
The middle floors are intended to be used as clinical areas and are under development. Outpatients
will visit the area as per appointment.
The lower floors are used as office areas, and also house the Community Day Centre for Seniors.
Terraces of Baycrest and Wagman Centre Complex
Terraces of Baycrest
An eleven-storey, 172,000 square foot building built in 1976. The building provides supportive
housing to approx. 212 residents who live in 202 individual apartments.
Wagman Centre
A two-storey, 65,000 square foot building built in 1976 which is physically connected to the Terraces
of Baycrest. The Wagman Centre is a Community Centre providing social and recreational programs
and services to the residents of the Terraces of Baycrest and approx. 800 other community based
members.
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Esther Exton Childcare Centre
A one-storey, 5000 square foot building built in 1995. The facility provides daily childcare services for
52 children.
Grounds
The property has a number of park-like settings for outdoor enjoyment.
A paved walking path is used to connect the Main complex with the Terraces of Baycrest and
Wagman Centre.
There are a total of 712 car park spaces located throughout the campus. There is a main car park
located between the Main complex and the Terraces of Baycrest and Wagman Centre complex.
There are also a number of car park spaces attached to each building facility, excluding the hospital
building. Thirty (30) of the 712 spaces are designated as handicap.
Public transit is available at the entrance to the campus on Bathurst Street.
Baycrest operates a daily Shuttle Bus service throughout the campus property.
Baycrest operates a fleet of buses that are used to transport clients to and from the Community Day
Centre for Seniors.
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5. Target Population
The Plan is intended to address all persons with disabilities who live,
work, or visit at Baycrest. It also includes the greater public who seek
services, information or communication from Baycrest.
Approximately 1000 elderly patients and residents live at Baycrest,
either in the Baycrest Hospital, Jewish Home for the Aged or Terraces
of Baycrest. The average age of persons living at Baycrest is more
than 85 years. Family members and other more visitors visit many of
these patients and residents on a daily basis. The patient is and/or
resident's spouse and adult children are often elderly themselves.
Seniors regularly visit Baycrest as outpatients to attend ambulatory
clinics and other clinical services. Research subjects attend appointments at the Rotman and Klaru
Research units.
Approximately 90 seniors attend the Community Day Centre for Seniors on a daily basis.
The Wagman Centre provides social and recreational programming for over 800 community-based
persons 55 years and older and residents of Terraces.
Approximately 1700 staff work at Baycrest. The current average age of staff is 48 years.
Approximately 3075 registered volunteers provide volunteer services in the various programs at
Baycrest. Many of these volunteers are seniors of retirement age.
As an academic teaching centre, various students from the Universities and Colleges work at
Baycrest as part of their learning and placement requirements.
Approximately 500 Private Companions work at Baycrest. The patients and residents and/or their
families hire these companions.
Contractors and other vendors visit on a daily basis to conduct work or business at Baycrest.
Baycrest provides onsite hospitality services to external groups for educational, social (weddings) and
other related events.
The Esther Exton Childcare offers pre-school childcare for up to 52 children under the age of 5 years.
The target population indicates that a significant number of the persons that visit, work, or live at
Baycrest are elderly or are of middle age or more.
There are 1.9 million people in Ontario with disabilities. This number is expected to increase as the
population ages because the incidence of disability increases with age.
The elderly population will be a special focus for Baycrest, while not reducing our responsibility for all
other persons with disabilities.
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As people age, they experience gradual declines in vision, hearing, range of motion, physical strength
and mental acuity. Significant functional limitations affect almost half the people between the ages of
55 and 79, and over 70 percent of people over 80. Beyond middle age, disability is the norm.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, approximately 1
in every 6 persons has speech, voice, and/or language impairments and/or hearing loss.
The Canadian Hearing Society reports that 25% of adult Canadians experience some hearing loss.
Prevalence increases up to approx. 50% for persons over 65 years, and according to Health and
Welfare Canada, 80% of institutionalized elderly are hard of hearing.
In the Baycrest patient/resident client population, 20% have mild hearing loss, 70% have moderate
hearing loss, and 10% have severe hearing loss.
The Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1994) indicated that 8% of Canadians over 65 have
dementia; prevalence rates increase to 34.5% for persons over 85. All older adults have normal agerelated deficits in various cognitive functions such as memory and attention.
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6. Methodology
An eight-step procedure was used to guide the development of the Accessibility Planning process at
Baycrest.
1.
Establish Accessibility Working Group.
2.
Develop a commitment statement as to Baycrest's "Approach to Accessibility"
3.
Identify and inventory current successes at Baycrest that support a "barrier free”
environment.
4.
Identify barriers that exist at Baycrest. This will be accomplished through input from various
persons and/or groups as well as capitalizing on staff knowledge and expertise.
5.
Set both short and longer-term priorities, including the development of an annual Work
Plan to address barrier identification, removal and prevention.
6.
Obtain Board and Senior Management Approval of the overall Accessibility Plan and yearone of the annualized Work Plan.
7.
Implement the communication strategy for all stakeholders.
8.
Establish an ongoing monitor and review process through the Environmental Team.
The first step in the planning process was to establish an Accessibility Working Group (see Appendix
C – Terms of Reference).
The Accessibility Working Group was formed with representation from across Baycrest and
capitalized on the diverse staff knowledge and expertise within the clinical and support service areas.
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A member of Baycrest Senior Management assumed the role of Chair/Coordinator
throughout the process and ensured involvement by both Senior Management and the
Board.
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Clinical representation included staff from Audiology, Speech – Language Pathology,
Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. These staff brought professional knowledge of
disabilities as related to their area of expertise.
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Support Service and administrative representation included staff from Physical Plant,
Materials Management, Art & Interior Design, and Occupational Health & Safety/Human
Resources.
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A Public Relations specialist provided expertise in the area of information and
communications, and assisted with the development and rollout of the communications
strategy.
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In-house legal counsel was used to review the Centre´s by-laws to ensure compliance with
the Disabilities Act - 2005.
Client/Consumer input was obtained through various methods including:
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An outpatient to Baycrest provided unique input to the Accessibility Working Group. This
individual, aside from being a user of Baycrest´s programs and services, also participated in
the past on the Accessibility Committee for the design of Terminal 3 at the Toronto Airport. The
individual conducted a walking tour of Baycrest taking photographs of various physical
conditions that either supported accessibility or provided an opportunity for improvement.
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Staff with recognizable disabilities were approached and asked for their input regarding
accessibility and what barriers existed that restricted their ability to fully enjoy their work life
while at Baycrest.
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All staff members were invited through the Centre´s staff newsletter "At the Centre", to submit
any suggestions/concerns for removing barriers that may exist at Baycrest.
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A review was conducted with selected volunteers to obtain their input regarding accessibility
and what barriers existed that restricted their ability to fully enjoy their volunteer life while at
Baycrest.
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Focus groups were held with Baycrest clients including the Hard of Hearing Club and the PACE
Program. As well, feedback from the Self Management Group was forwarded to the
Environmental Team for follow up and inclusion into future annualized planning.
• The Hard of Hearing Club is a 14-member group that was formed to provide an opportunity
for seniors isolated by their hearing loss to come together, discuss their problems and
make new friends.
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The PACE Program is designed for adults with arthritis who want to learn how to better
manage the daily challenges of living with their condition.
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The Self Management Group is an educational program for stroke survivors and their care
partners based on principles of self- management including information sharing, goal
setting, social support and exercise.
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A focus group discussion was held with the Family Advisory Council, who provided a
perspective as frequent visitors to Baycrest and as advocates for their loved ones who reside at
Baycrest.
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A study related to parking at Baycrest was completed to identify current barriers.
The role of the Accessibility Working Group ended with the completion and approval of the
Accessibility Plan. Ongoing accountability for monitoring, review, and annual Work Plan development
was assigned to the Baycrest Environment Team (see Appendix D – Terms of Reference).
The Environment Team is a standing committee within Baycrest with multi-disciplinary representation.
A number of the members of the Accessibility Working Group are also members of the Environment
Team thereby ensuring continuity on an ongoing basis.
The Environment team will ensure that accessibility planning is incorporated into the Centre´s annual
operating and capital business planning.
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7. Successes at Baycrest
The following provides an overview of the measures and practices that are in place at Baycrest. The
list is not meant to be comprehensive but rather to give the reader an impression of Baycrest's
ongoing commitment and approach towards accessibility. It is a track record of our successes.
As a health care provider, Baycrest's approach to accessibility is embedded within key activities
related to advocacy, education, research, and health promotion, as well as within the provision of
care and treatment as guided by our Mission to "Enrich the Lives of the Elderly".
As an academic centre affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest is strategically committed to
the integration of care, research, and education as pillars of excellence of the organization.
Baycrest will transform the way people age and advance care and quality of life to a new level,
through the power of research and education, and with focus on brain functioning and mental health.
The Baycrest Rotman Research Institute is focused on the study of brain behaviour relationships.
Brain disorders affecting cognition, mental health, and other motor controls are identified within the
definition of disabilities.
Baycrest has undertaken a number of initiatives within the role of advocacy, education and research
with the intent of enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities. Some examples include:
A) Advocacy
• Advocating for hard of hearing clients on accessibility issues, e.g. the Hard of Hearing Club
wrote to the TTC, on behalf of members at risk in emergencies on the subway, concerning the
inability to hear announcements over the public address system. The group requested the
need for a visual alert system. Club members also pointed out that not all public phones at
Baycrest were accessible to hearing-impaired clients, and advocated for change. These
modifications were completed.
• Advocating against the use of background music in public areas due to its effect on persons
with hearing loss.
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B) Education
• Educating Baycrest staff through Grand Round presentations – "Wired for Sound” – Making
Baycrest accessible for hard of hearing clients, and a hearing aid presentation to staff.
• Educating staff on the use and care of amplification devices through in service training and
promoting awareness through the Intranet, newsletters, and information sheets.
• Educating staff to reduce the amount of noise and reverberation by use of quiet areas for
therapeutic and social groups.
• Educating the public through publications: Baycrest and the CNIB collaborated on the
development of a "Low Vision Resource Guide" – providing information on low vision
programs and services in Ontario. Caring for Your Loved One – Baycrest.
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The Anne & Louis Pritzker Wellness Library was officially opened. This library contains a range
of written and audiovisual health-related materials as well as large screen/font computer,
CCTV, and modified telephone to enable user-friendly access to health information.
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There is a second edition of “Caring For Your Loved One”, a guide for caregivers of persons
with dementia and a training manual for those working with Holocaust survivors: “Caring for
Aging Holocaust Survivors”. Both contain educational materials about safety, accessibility,
enablement for these key client groups that Baycrest provides services to.
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To support the advancement of technologies to address the diverse needs of an aging
population and to further client enablement, Baycrest provided expert advice to a private sector
company (TZORA Active Systems) on the design and development of new/improved mobility
equipment.
C) Care and Treatment
Baycrest has provided care and services to the elderly for more than 85
years. Many of the existing programs and services provide care and
treatment to persons with disabilities: examples include; Communication
Disorders (Audiology and Speech – Language Pathology), Rehabilitation
(Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy), Mental Health (Psychiatry
and Behavioural Neurology), Psychology, various ambulatory clinics
including ophthalmology, hand and foot orthotics, mobility and seating
Special groups and clinics are also conducted such as the Hard of Hearing Club, Parkinson Group,
Self-Management Group for Stroke, Swallowing Clinic, and the Amnestic Group.
Hearing assessments are conducted for all new patient and resident admissions to identify presence
of hearing loss for the purpose of assisting the client and enabling appropriate care planning for staff.
Occupational Therapy provides a Power Mobility Program to encourage independent mobility.
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D) Accessing Services
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All locations for client outings are pre-assessed to ensure full accessibility by our clients.
Rotman Research and Klaru websites provide user friendly access to Baycrest’s Research
accomplishments.
Client lifts (both portable and ceiling mounted) were installed, providing improved access in
client rooms and throughout client care areas.
Colour coded doors and frames, including special wayfinding signage were installed in the
Apotex Wintergarden location. This was done to improve the wayfinding for clients attending
Psychology and Community Geriatric Assessment appointments. Our clients with various
degrees of cognitive conditions were experiencing difficulty in finding their intended
destination.
The pathway located at the Child Care Centre and Wagman Building was expanded to
provide better wheelchair and walker accessibility.
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Elevators in the Brain Health Centre are being re-furbished to
improve access and delays in service. These improvements
included meeting current accessibility requirements. Accessible
control buttons are being installed.
Core Curriculum Training for staff has been provided on line for easier access.
An Internet web based support program for caregivers was developed for caregivers of
people with Alzheimer’s.
All Communication Disorders related client information materials have been revised into
“aphasia friendly” (large font, pictures, etc.) format. These materials are used to present
information to clients through “supported conversation” techniques (pictures, written key
words etc.)
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RPN’s, PSW’s and Volunteers accompany designated clients on outings to ensure
accessibility and safety during outings.
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A detailed guide of Baycrest services was
developed, “Baycrest Community Guide, your
Guide to Baycrest’s Programs and Services.”
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An electronic bill board was installed on Bathurst Street promoting Baycrest Programs and
Services.
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Social Work created a separate web site link to the main Baycrest web site for improved
accessibility.
Elevators throughout the facility have been modified so one car in each bank stops on all
floors automatically as a Sabbath feature. This feature is also programmed on one Hospital
elevator each day for clients who experience difficulty operating elevators.
An upgraded sound system was installed in the Apotex Winter Garden to allow more clients
to enjoy concerts in this area.
Physio services were revised to ensure all clients have access to Physio support.
Wheelchair services streamlined its services to ensure timely access by clients to
wheelchairs.
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Communication Disorders introduced a system for notifying family members of client clinic
appointments to reduce missed appointments.
An additional exterior intercom system was installed to improve access to the facility after
hours and reduce walking time to other entrances.
A new “Hearing Aide Users Program” was developed by Communication Disorders for
hearing aide first time users.
Hearing services staff provide free monthly hearing aide checks directly on the client care
floors together with staff training.
A questionaire was developed for Brain Health Clinic clients around accessing programs at
Baycrest to better understand the needs.
A Community Resource Manual was developed to identify all of the Physio programs.
Baycrest’s O.T staff visits other Seniors facilities to promote Baycrest’s programs and provide
presentations on “Self Management”.
A new Community “Tune-Up” (Return) Program was developed by O.T. for clients in their
home.
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Baycrest parking equipment was modified to better serve visitors with disabilities.
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“Café Europa”, a Holocaust Survivor social program, was developed, which received
external funding and has become a huge success. Transportation was co-ordinated to allow
more people to attend.
The Heritage and Culture steering committee is re-designing how Baycrest delivers programs
so individuals with a variety of disabilities can better access and engage in spiritual and
cultural activities.
Improved lighting was installed in the “Wortsman Hall” so clients could play bingo and
participate in other activities requiring increased lighting.
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All Transportation buses are wheelchair accessible for
easy client access. A Shuttle Bus service is used
throughout the campus grounds to connect buildings.
New replacement buses are reviewed extensively to
ensure they offer the most accessible features available
on the market and drivers receive an extensive training
program for best practices when handling clients with a
variety of cognitive impairments.
E) Safety
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An assessment was developed by Physio of powered wheelchair operations based on
cognitive impairment.
A “Falls Intervention Team” (F.I.T) was formed to provide home visits with clients to do fall
risk assessment and follow-up.
F) Volunteer Placement
Baycrest has a history of providing volunteer opportunities for persons who have a variety of special
needs including; blindness, hard of hearing, mental disorders, physical disabilities, and degrees of
learning disabilities. The outcome has been very positive resulting in many long-term volunteer
placements.
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A Volunteer Greeting Program was implemented to help direct visitors to their destination at
Baycrest and/or to watch over clients who are being dropped off while their family
member/friend is parking the car. This program is currently utilized in our Apotex Building.
Volunteers have been used in the cafeteria to assist persons with serving and carrying their
trays to their seating area.
G) Architectural
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All of Baycrest's building and facilities were built to exceed building code standards for their
time. The architectural structure and features within each of the buildings were designed with
care and consideration for the population being served. This same approach is used throughout
the centre during the planning and construction of renovations.
The Apotex Centre Jewish Home for the Aged opened in May 2000 and was designed and built
with special attention to accessibility issues, examples include: floor surfaces which were
chosen to ensure safe and easy mobility, enhanced lighting through both natural and
engineered lighting techniques, acoustical treatment to support the hard of hearing, easy to use
door handles and other opening devices, wheelchair accessible washrooms throughout the
home, automated power doorways, wayfinding design features built into the building structure,
room signage, etc.
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H) Physical
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Art and design features are an integral part of the environment throughout Baycrest. Particular
emphasis is placed on there external environment supports to help compensate for the
cognitive changes experienced by many of our clients. Visual cues can help people who are no
longer able to evoke images in their own minds. Not all brain functions deteriorate with
diseases of the brain. We now know that that regions responsible for emotions are better
preserved in many forms of dementia. Colour, patterns and shapes may trigger memories and
feelings by acting as shortcuts to the emotional centers of the brain. We bear these principles in
mind whenever we are installing art or designing interiors so that no two areas will look or feel
alike. This acts as nonverbal cueing throughout the Centre to assist clients with orientation and
wayfinding.
• Access by Apotex clients to resident room closets have been improved through the
replacement of closet door hardware.
• Wheelchair accessible washrooms are located throughout the Centre.
• "User friendly" elevators in the Apotex building with audio floor indication and easy to use
controls.
• Hospital elevator that automatically stops on all floors and permits front and rear entry/exit.
• A wheelchair accessible ramp is used to connect the main car park to the Main Centre.
Handicap parking which exceeds code requirements. Special parking arrangements were
developed close to building entrances, including short term drop off. “Courtesy” wheelchairs are
available at all main entrances for persons who require assistance with walking.
• Accessible garden areas were desinged including elevated garden planters for client use.
• Fire alarm strobe lights were installed in all Terraces apartments for hard of hearing clients.
• The exterior entrance curbs were cut at the Brain Health Centre, Apotex and Khedive entrance
for improved access.
• The addition of exterior use heaters to 2 of the centre’s sukkahs provids increased access for
clients during inclimate weather.
• The installation of sun shelters and awnings has provided improved access to outdoor areas
during sunny periods.
• There is an annual program to grind or hydraulically lift exterior concrete walkways that pose an
impediment or trip hazard.
• Terraces Redevelopment Project – this is an initiative to upgrade all Terraces resident
apartments by improving lighting, mobility, ease of use, etc.- 150 of the 203 apartments have
been completed
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• Specifications have been developed for furniture and equipment throughout Baycrest to meet
the diverse needs of clients.
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• A “Healing Garden” was constructed on the 2 floor Hospital roof garden in a former garden
area that was not client user friendly. The new rooftop is fully wheelchair accessible including
the entrance door, tables, the deck surface, etc.
 The entrance door to the Terraces of Baycrest Dining Room was heavy and did not support easy
wheelchair access nor persons with less physical strength (elderly). A new automatic door
opener was installed.
 New auto door openers were installed on the Wagman members east entrance door, Apotex
entrances, Bathurst entrance and Khedive entrance.
 New replacement automatic powered sliding doors were installed at the Bathurst and Brain
Health Complex main entrances.
 Thirteen (13) new “special needs” parking spots were designated in the main car park to provide
for closer access to the main buildings.
 The height of the benches at the main entrances was adjusted to assist persons with mobility
impairments.
 The Terraces of Baycrest and Wagman Centre fire speakers were modified and upgraded to
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improve volume and clarity for persons with hearing loss.
 A new Parking Control System was introduced at Baycrest that improved access through the
removal of parking gates and the removal of the use of parking tokens resulting in more user
friendly access.
 A more accessible keyboard tray was installed on the computer resource centre computer.
 A new, ergonomically designed meal belt conveyor was installed in the Main Kitchen.
 New, adjustable Shipping / Receiving dock plates were installed to improve loading and
unloading trucks.
 The concrete sidewalk area leading to the Apotex Centre main entrance was cut and sloped to
provide for better access for persons with sight impairments, wheelchair and walkers.
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 A new wheelchair accessible washroom was constructed in the Brain Health Centre – 6 floor
Posluns building. The installation of a “Panic touch strip” in this washroom now provides a panic
alert for clients at risk.
 Stop signs were installed to better control vehicular traffic at the Centre’s Shipping/Receiving
area.
 Extensive renovations to the Hospital’s
Palliative Care unit, included features
such as: large flat screen wall mounted
TV’s, improved lighting, water feature,
family shower, pedestal sinks, laminate
flooring, more user friendly handrails,
simplified signage, new furniture (inc.
family recliner chair), private activity room
and powered door in the meeting/family
room.
 Wheelchair accessible news stand holders are being installed at Baycrest.
 Modifications to the entrance for 2 high traffic washrooms across from the Cafeteria are being
made to improve accessibility.
 Renovations to the Communication Disorders department have improved access by making it
one stop shopping and wheelchair accessible.
 Desk modifications, a washroom lift device, the lowering of access card readers and the provision
of an extension device for improved access to elevator buttons were provided to assist a
handicapped staff member.
 Renovations were done to the Physio pool change rooms to improve access and safety.
I) Informational and Communication
 Baycrest provides a variety of communication mechanisms which are tailored to ensuring people
have access to messaging. Examples include hotlines for clients to get information on changes
and happenings (one for the Terraces of Baycrest/Wagman Centre and one for the main
complex) a hotline for staff to get verbal updates and a hotline for families and Community
members to call for updates. These lines can be accessed at anytime from any place and the
messages are adapted to suit the needs of the audience.
 An extensive review of the many posted paper signs in the Apotex was done to eliminate clutter
and create a more home like environment. An action plan was developed with 75% completion to
date.
 The Baycrest website is a primary source for a variety of audiences and is accessed by 12,00014,000 people per day. It includes an extensive Family site which allows people to access
information on events, policy changes, and other important information.
 There are newsletters for a variety of audiences which are tailored to their specific needs
including Terraces of Baycrest/Wagman Centre Newsletter, Family Newsletter, Staff Newsletter,
Community Newsletter. These are presented in a manner most appropriate to the audience need.
 To ensure that information media is user friendly for persons with disabilities, improvements were
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made to the Baycrest Intranet Internet Website, as well as the main telephone messaging
system.
An “Internet Café” has been implemented on the main floor level of the Apotex, and is available
for general use. The area allows our clients the ability to have access to the Internet, including
the Baycrest Website.
New “friendly” signage was installed at the main floor Hospital elevator.
Switchboard staff (Communication Attendants) were provided training to enhance their ability to
communicate with hearing and cognitively impaired persons. This included the telephone, public
address system, and face-to-face interaction.
New “Communication Kits” were purchased and implemented, along with education for staff
regarding their use. They are available on the Patient/Resident Units and in the Clinics. Our
clients with speech/language problems use the “Kits”.
Hospital clients are provided with T.V pillow speakers for improved access to TV’s
The main floor public telephones were replaced and upgraded to include features to help the
hard of hearing, for sight and mobility impairments, and for wheelchair accessibility. These
included pay, taxi and courtesy telephones.
The common area televisions used throughout Baycrest were programmed to include “close
captioning” as the standard option.
Wellness Centre computers (audio output) have been made accessible to hard of hearing clients
by the installation of amplifying head phones.
An individual FM system was purchased for use by hard of hearing clients, to supplement those
already on loan in audiology.
 Clear, contrasting, protruding “street signs” identifying service shops in the Apotex were installed.
 A Wayfinding Evaluation project was undertaken at the Main Centre of Baycrest. The report,
along with recommendations, was developed with a multi-year implementation plan. First
priorities include directional maps and color coding building signs. Continuous improvements to
wayfinding occur each year including thorough evaluation of wayfinding signs for all new or
renovated areas and adding missing signs.
 Baycrest’s “Branding” project included new exterior sign faces with improvements to wayfinding
upon arrival at the site.
 The Canadian Hearing Society conducted a review of Baycrest as a resource to help enhance
our Accessibility Plan. Recommendations from their report included accessibility signage for the
deaf and the installation of a direct communication line at Baycrest. In their report, the C.H.S
commended Baycrest for its accessibility plan and its efforts with initiatives at the Centre.
 Increased demand for internet access in resident’s rooms has resulted in an evaluation by I.T. for
providing outlets in client rooms.
 Improved elevator intercoms were installed in 5 elevators to improve communication during
emergencies.
 Research provides access to data from Nursing around improved client care based research.
 Nursing/I.T replaced the direct care floor wireless phone system to improve nursing response to
call bells.
 Physio/O.T & Therapeutic Recreation assessment forms & posters were designed with easily
read font and with pictoral diagrams for easier use.
 A “Pool Program Hotline” was introduced for clients to call in to verify if programs are running on
time.
 Built-in lap tops with projectors were installed in busy meeting rooms for better accessibility to A.V
23
equipment by staff.
 A pictoral version of the Resident’s Bill of Rights by the Alphasia Centre was developed and
provided to all new Apotex clients on Admission.
 2 – “Reading monitors” were donated to Baycrest. These magnify written text and reproduce text
to black on a white background.
 The library provides “talking” books for clients and visitors.
J) Attitudinal
Integrated into the fabric of Baycrest and its "Values" is "Respect". Respect comes with the
understanding that each person is unique with intrinsic dignity and worth.
 Baycrest undertook a process to provide Harassment and Discrimination Training for all staff. The
program is designed to help each staff member identify what is discrimination and harassment,
and what measures one should take to change one’s own attitudes and actions as applicable. To
date most of the management group have received this formal training.
 Baycrest also has administrative policies that address issues of abuse. All staff members receive
formal training on "abuse" which is part of their annual core curriculum and performance
appraisal.
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K) Technology
 Baycrest supports the sale of assistive devices, which help with daily living activities for persons
with disabilities through Communication Disorders and the Gift Shop.
 Baycrest is establishing a multidisciplinary Technology Team that would identify and
recommend/prescribe/train/evaluate technology for client enablement. An Adaptive
Communication Service is provided through Occupational Therapy and Communications
Disorders for clients who require the ability to communicate but are not able to do so through
speaking or writing.
 Various technological devices and methods are used to facilitate discrimination of speech in noisy
environments, including:
• Using assistive listening devices that place a microphone close to speaker’s mouth, thereby
greatly enhancing signal to noise ratio:
• Pocket talkers which are available on all patient and resident floors, including a loan out
service through Audiology.
• FM systems for client programming.
 Voice amplifier equipment in the Day Treatment Program.
Various other devices and techniques are used to support independence, safety and mobility,
including:
• Work on developing a customized shower chair.
• Low beds as well as bed and chair sensors.
• Lifeline System at the Terraces of Baycrest.
L) Policy and Practice
 In-house legal counsel was used to review the Centre´s by-laws to ensure compliance with the
Disabilities Act - 2001. As part of ongoing practice, Baycrest supports two active multidisciplinary
committees which help to ensure issues of accessibility are considered for all new purchases
and/or building renovations. These include the Product Standardization Committee and the
Environment Team. The Environment Team will ensure that accessibility planning is incorporated
into the Centre´s annual operating and capital business planning process.
 Communications Disorders introduced a new policy and practice for the provision of sign
language interpreters where necessary for effective communication in the delivery of medical
care and service. This is in compliance with the Supreme Court decision that failure to do so is a
breach of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
 A new Apotex Resident Key Policy provided improved access to replacement keys for clients and
families.
 A new “Hot Weather Plan” at Baycrest provides a variety of formal pro-active methods of
communicating to clients & staff regarding the threat of extreme hot weather and providing
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access to information and support.
8. Opportunities for Improvement
The methodology section within this report identifies the various steps taken to gain
stakeholder input. The feedback provided a better understanding of the needs of persons with
disabilities and helped to identify areas for improvements within Baycrest.
Feedback from various stakeholder groups identified high priority issues that were common across
the groups.
Initially an Accessibility Working Group developed a "functional model" to gather input and, later,
categorize the improvement opportunities. The functional approach traced a person’s journey through
Baycrest and identified stages of interaction. The functional model may be applied whether you visit,
live, work, or volunteer at Baycrest. The stage and type of interaction may vary depending on different
users of our environment.
Functional Model
Function
Need being addressed
Information Access
Can you find out what you want to know about
Baycrest?
Wayfinding
Can you find out how to get to where you want to go?
Physical Access
Can you get there?
Communication Access
Can you communicate with Baycrest staff and
Volunteers?
Accessing Services
Can you use essential services at Baycrest?
Safety
Can your safety be ensured?
The Accessibility Working Group also developed criteria that were used to prioritize the identified
initiatives and developed the original Work Plan for the 2003/2004 year. The criteria included:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Was inititiative client related and addressed the needs of an aging population?
Did it provide a significant benefit to a large proportion of the people affected?
How frequently was the barrier encountered during normal daily living?
What number of disabilities were affected by the accessibility problem
Feasibility
Level of Risk
Affordability
Within the plan initiatives were categorized as corporate and/or administrative, addressing policy
development, advocacy, education and/or research.
Baycrest’s first work plan identified initiatives that were implemented throughout the year 2003/2004.
Initiatives undertaken in all future years are incorporated into the list of “Successes” noted in previous
26
sections of this plan. Initiatives have been driven by stakeholder feedback and within the scope of
budgets at hand.
9. A look to the Future
The following identifies the opportunities for improvement that are planned or are under review for
both the coming year and future years. Implementation will coincide with the Centre's 2008/2009
fiscal year.
The list is not meant to be comprehensive but rather to provide the reader with an impression of
Baycrest's future commitment and actions towards continuously improved accessibility, and to ensure
flexibility as we continue to seek stakeholder involvement.
Utilizing the key questions below as a guide, the Environmental Team annually conducts an
environmental scan to formally engage our stake holder groups in evaluating the results of our
initiatives to date and to identify new or persisting barriers to accessibility.
User feedback will be sought to evaluate a variety of areas throughout the campus. The findings will
also provide the basis for the capital planning related to renovation and modification initiatives for the
coming years.
Information Access – Can you find out what you want to know about Baycrest?
review is being undertaken of the resident and family handbooks and of all
forms clients complete at Baycrest.
A comprehensive
Wayfinding – Can you find out how to get to where you want to go within Baycrest?
A review of internal signage, and that located throughout the exterior grounds, was
undertaken across Baycrest. Signage is being upgraded as appropriate in a phased fashion to
aid wayfinding for persons with visual and/or cognitive impairments. A working group was
formed with representation from OT, Physio, and Psychology to follow up on the
recommendations from an extensive wayfinding report. High priorities in this regard include
our directional site map, the Main Centre’s main floor plan and color coded (by building)
internal signs. These are being introduced and tested at this time.
Physical Access – Can you get there?
The multi-year Terraces Redevelopment Program was initiated to upgrade all resident apartments.
New additions include improved lighting; accessible shower stalls in the washrooms, grab bars, new
accessible kitchen appliances with front controls, etc. To date, 150 out of 203 apartments have been
completed. It is expected that an additional 26 apartments will be upgraded over the coming year.



Apotex clients have identified a difficulty with transitioning from the hallway carpeting to the
living room areas.
Apotex clients have also expressed the need to improve how chairs can be pulled up to the
dining room tables.
The intersection at Bathurst Street and Baycrest Ave is difficult to navigate with a wheelchair.
We are approaching the City of Toronto to correct this.
The replacement of the powered sliding doors at the Khedive entrance is planned.
27
The opportunity for the installation of parking lot bus stops for the shuttle bus is being reviewed.
Communication Access – Can you communicate with Baycrest Staff and Volunteers?
During the intake process, the bill of rights should be presented and discussed with the client using
“supported conversation techniques (gestures, pictographic bill of rights, keys words etc.)
Upgraded intercoms have been trialed and are being considered for the Parking Lot.
Critical written materials should be designed in such a way that they are accessible for clients with
communication and cognitive disorders, e.g. consent forms in an ‘aphasia friendly’ format with large
print, simple words and pictures to facilitate comprehension.
Ensure new Fire and Emergency Response procedures introduced at the Terraces are appropriate
and effective for all clients, including those with hearing problems. The Hard of Hearing Club has
suggested inviting the new Fire Inspector to meet with them to discuss their special needs in this
regard.
Investigate improving Winter Garden acoustics in response to client feedback around the difficulty to
hear or participate in religious services and other events held in this area. This has been identified by
the Residents’ Council, and in a ‘Speak Your Mind’ concern. Although limitations are imposed by the
Orthodox requirements of services at Baycrest, solutions in other Orthodox settings may hopefully be
employed here. These are being researched at this time.
Accessing Services – Can you use essential services at Baycrest (i.e. washrooms, telephones,
cafeteria, etc.)?
Develop an O.T Facilitator Training Program for the “Self Management” Program.
A study to review the opportunity to improve elevator wait times.
A review is underway to investigate the opportunity of providing internet access to client rooms.
Review the barrier of the lack of transportation for a variety of programs at Baycrest. This includes
parking, TTC costs and access challenges, etc.
Safety – Can your safety be ensured?
Hard of hearing clients have requested visual as well as audible fire alarms in public washrooms.
Corporate, Policy Development, Advocacy, Education and Research
Educational materials on the client touch screen kiosk in the Brain Health Centre waiting room will be
expanded to include access to additional information on a variety of topics of identified interest to
clients’, families
The Brain Health Centre will pilot small computer tablets that feature touch screen options for viewing
interactive conversations with clinicians/researchers. The tablets will be available in the waiting areas
and provide an alternate technology option to access information.
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10. Appendix “A”
Definition of barrier
Definition of barrier
A "barrier" is anything that prevents a person with a disability from fully participating in all aspects of
society because of his or her disability, including an architectural barrier, a physical barrier, an
informational or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or
practice.
Architectural
Refers to building design, areas adjacent to buildings, shape of rooms, size of doorways, etc.
Physical
Refers to objects that are added to the environment: doors, windows, elevators, furniture, bathroom
hardware, etc.
Informational or Communication
Difficulties receiving information or communications: either in person, print material, telephones,
signage, verbal, etc.
Attitudinal
Refers to persons who do not know how to communicate with people with disabilities, or persons who
display discriminatory behaviours, etc.
Technology
Refers to devices such as: computers, telephones, inadequate or inappropriate assistive
technologies, etc.
Policy and Practices
Refers to rules, regulations and protocols that are restrictive for persons with disabilities
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11. Appendix “B”
Definition of disability
The ODA adopts the broad definition for disability that is set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
"Disability" is:
(a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily
injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes
mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical coordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech
impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other
remedial appliance or device,
(b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
(c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or
using symbols or spoken language,
(d) a mental disorder, or
(e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan
established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Types of disability and functional limitations
A person’s disability may make it physically or cognitively hard to perform everyday tasks such as
operating a keyboard, reading a sign, differentiating colours, distinguishing sounds, climbing stairs,
grasping small items, remembering words, or doing arithmetic.
Consider the functional limitations associated with twelve different kinds of disability and the effects of
these limitations on an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks:
1.
Physical
Physical disabilities include minor difficulties moving or coordinating a part of the body, muscle
weakness, tremors and in extreme cases, paralysis in one or more parts of the body. Physical
disabilities can be congenital, such as Muscular Dystrophy; or acquired, such as tendonitis.
Physical disabilities affect an individuals ability to
· Perform manual tasks, such as hold a pen, grip and turn a key, type on a keyboard, click a
mouse button, and twist a doorknob
· Control the speed of one’s movements
· Coordinate one’s movements
· Move rapidly
· Experience balance and orientation
· Move one’s arms or legs fully, e.g., climb stairs
· Move around independently, e.g., walk any distance, easily get into or out of a car, stand for an
extended period
· Reach, pull, push or manipulate objects
· Have strength or endurance
2.
Hearing
Hearing loss include problems distinguishing certain frequencies, sounds or words, ringing in the
ears and total (profound) deafness.
A person who is deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing may be unable to use a public telephone,
understand speech in noisy environments, or pronounce words clearly enough to be understood
by strangers.
3.
Speech
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Speech disability is a partial or total loss of the ability to speak. Typical voice disorders include
problems with
· Pronunciation
· Pitch and loudness
· Hoarseness or breathiness
· Stuttering or slurring
People with severe speech disabilities sometimes use manual or electronic communication
devices. Individuals who have never heard may have speech that is hard to understand.
4.
Vision
Vision disabilities range from slightly reduced visual acuity to total blindness.
A person with reduced visual acuity may have trouble reading street signs, recognizing faces, or
judging distances. They might find it difficult to maneuver, especially in an unfamiliar place. He or
she may have a very narrow field of vision, be unable to differentiate colours, have difficulties
navigating or seeing at night, or require bright lights to read. Most people who are legally blind
have some vision.
5.
Deaf-blind
Deaf-blindness is a combination of hearing and vision loss. It results in significant difficulties
accessing information and performing activities of daily living. Deaf-blind disabilities interfere with
communication, learning, orientation and mobility.
Individuals who are deaf-blind communicate using various sign language systems, Braille,
standard PCs equipped with Braille displays, telephone devices for the deaf- blind and
communication boards. They navigate with the aid of white canes, service animals, and electronic
navigation devices.
People who are deaf-blind may rely on the services of an intervener. Interveners relay and
facilitate auditory and visual information and act as sighted guides. Interveners are skilled in the
communication systems used by people who are deaf-blind, including sign language and Braille.
6.
Smell
Smell disability is the inability to sense, or a hypersensitivity to, odours and smells.
A person with a smelling disability may have allergies to certain odours, scents or chemicals or
may be unable to identify dangerous gases, smoke, fumes and spoiled food.
7.
Taste
Taste disability limits the ability to experience the four primary taste sensations: sweetness,
bitterness, saltiness and sourness.
A person with a taste disability may be unable to identify ingredients in food, spoiled food, or
noxious substances.
8.
Touch
Touch disability alters the ability to sense surfaces and their texture or quality, including
temperature, vibration and pressure. Touching sensations may be heightened, limited, absent
(numbness), or may cause pain or burning.
A person with a touch disability may be unable to detect (or be insensitive to) heat, cold or
changing temperatures. Alternatively, a person with a touch disability may be hypersensitive to
sound, physical vibrations, or heated surfaces or air.
9.
Intellectual
An intellectual disability affects an individuals ability to think and reason. The disability may be
caused by genetic factors (e.g., Downs Syndrome), exposure to environmental toxins (as in Fetal
31
Alcohol Syndrome), brain trauma and psychiatric conditions.
A person with an intellectual disability may have difficulty with
· Language: understanding and using spoken or written information
· Concepts: understanding cause and effect
· Perception: taking in and responding to sensory information
· Memory: retrieving and recognizing information from short- or long-term memory
· Recognizing problems, problem solving and reasoning
10. Mental health
There are three main kinds of mental health disabilities:
· Anxiety: a state of heightened nervousness or fear related to stress
· Mood: sadness or depression
· Behavioural: being disorganized; making false statements or inappropriate comments; telling
distorted or exaggerated stories
People with mental health disabilities may seem edgy or irritated; act aggressively; exhibit blunt
behaviour; be perceived as being pushy or abrupt; start laughing or get angry for no apparent
reason.
11. Learning
Learning disabilities are disorders that affect verbal and non-verbal information acquisition,
retention, understanding, processing, organization and use.
People with learning disabilities have average or above-average intelligence, but take in
information, retain it, and express knowledge in different ways. Learning disabilities affect reading
comprehension and speed; spelling; the mechanics of writing; manual dexterity; math
computation; problem solving; processing speed; the ability to organize space and manage time;
and orientation and wayfinding.
12. Other
Disabilities result from other conditions, accidents, illnesses, and diseases, including ALS (Lou
Gehrig disease), asthma, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, environmental sensitivities, seizure
disorders, heart disease, stroke, and joint replacement.
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12. Appendix “C”
Accessibility Working Group
Terms of Reference
Purpose
th
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 was first passed on December 14 , 2001 and became law
for hospitals as of that date.
The Act mandates that every hospital prepare, each year, an “Accessibility Plan”, including consulting
with persons with disabilities in preparing the Plan.
The Plan is to address the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with
disabilities in the hospital's by-laws, if any, and in it’s policies, programs, practices and services.
For Baycrest, the term “hospital” means Centre-wide application.
Accountability
To the Senior Management Committee through the Vice President, Information and Support Services.
Responsibilities
1. To develop a policy for Baycrest's approach to accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
2. To review the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001, and to recommend a plan ensuring
Baycrest's compliance by September 30, 2003.
3. To conduct an inventory of current compliance measures which exist at Baycrest.
4. Recommend a formal structure to ensure annual compliance and “plan” sustainability.
Membership
- Senior Management (Chair)
- Physical Plant
- Materials Management
- Art & Interior Design
- Occupational Therapy
- Psychology
- Speech – Language Pathology
- Audiology
- Occupational Health and Safety/Human Resources
- Public Relations
- Client – Consumer Representative
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13. Appendix “D”
Environment Team
Terms of Reference
Purpose
To promote a safe, healthy, accessible, and stimulating environment throughout Baycrest:
• The provision of a forum to review environmental issues and recommend improvements,
undertaking implementation where appropriate.
• Coordination of Centre-wide initiatives affecting the environment including facilities, furniture,
equipment etc.
• Liaising with relevant disciplines and committees regarding environmental issues to ensure input
and best outcome.
• Advocating role for environmental issues within Baycrest.
Accountability
To the Senior Management Committee through the Vice President, Information and Support Services
Responsibilities
To develop, recommend, and monitor a long-term Environment Strategic Plan and related annual
work plans, to support operational and capital decision-making, aligned with Baycrest's Strategic
Direction.
To ensure accessibility for all those with special needs including mobility,
communication, orientation/way finding, and other environmental factors related to
their ability to participate in daily activities at Baycrest.
To maintain Baycrest's annual Accessibility Plan in accordance with the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005.
•
•
•
•
•
To maintain Baycrest's annual Accessibility Plan in accordance with the Ontarians with
Disabilities Act, 2005.
To ensure Baycrest meets accreditation standards, and to participate in the reporting and
survey process.
To review and recommend policies and procedures related to the environment.
To promote Baycrest's responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.
To benchmark with other facilities.
34
Membership
Two categories of membership were identified based on the amount of active involvement versus
consultative input.
Core Membership
One (1) representative from each of the following disciplines/services.
Physical Plant (Chair)
Housekeeping/Linen and Laundry Services
Infection Control
Occupational Therapy
Art & Interior Design Coordinator
Nursing Leadership
Materials Management
Security
Occupational Health & Safety
Therapeutic Recreation
Communication Disorders
Vice President Information & Support Services (ex-officio)
Consultative
Psychology
Information Technology
Human Resources
Public Relations
Chair
To be assigned by the Vice President Information and Support Services
Frequency of Meetings
At the call of the chair
Relationships
Occupational Health and Safety Committee
Product Standardization Committee
Disabilities Working Group
(Access) Technology Group
Human Resource Improvement Team (HRIT)
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14. Appendix “E”
Reference Listing
Government of Ontario Website
Accessibility Directorate of Ontario – CD Users Guide.
Federal Communications Commission Section 504 Programs and Activities Accessibility Handbook.
Bill 125 (Chapter 32 Statutes of Ontario, 2001) An act to improve the identification, removal and
prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities and to make related amendments to other
Acts.
A Guide to Annual Accessibility Planning under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 – Ministry of
Citizenship.
Ontario Hospital Association Workshop on Ontarians with Disabilities Act – March 4, 2003.
Toolkit for Annual Accessibility Planning under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act – Ontario Hospital
Association.
Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1994).
Incidence and Prevalence of Speech, Voice, and Language Disorders in the United States – 2002
Edition.
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15. Appendix “F”
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
Why has Baycrest prepared an Accessibility Plan?
As per the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) that was first passed on December 14,
2001, health care institutions and other key institution in the broader public sector were asked to
prepare accessibility plans and have them completed by September 30, 2003. Senior
Management and the Centre's Board of Directors approved Baycrest's Accessibility Plan in
September 2003.
2.
What are the requirements for health care institutions under the ODA?
Health care institutions are required to prepare annual accessibility plans and to make them
public. The plans must address the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people
with disabilities in the organization's by-laws (if any), and its policies, programs, practices and
services.
Baycrest's approach to accessibility goes beyond the identification and removal of barriers. It
also advocates education and research, as well as provision of care and treatment, as guided
by our mission to enrich the lives of the elderly.
3.
How was Baycrest's plan developed?
An Accessibility Working Group was formed with representation from across Baycrest to
develop an accessibility plan.
Client/consumer input was obtained from staff, inpatients and outpatients, Family Advisory
Council, volunteers, clients, and others.
4.
What does Baycrest's Accessibility Plan include?
Plans must identify barriers to people with disabilities, and ways in which to remove and prevent
them, in the centre’s hospital's by-laws, policies, programs, practices and services.
Some examples of opportunities for improvement identified in Baycrest's Initial Plan in
2003/2004 include:
• review signage and way finding;
• replace and upgrade all main floor public telephones to include features for hard of
hearing, sight and mobility impairments, and wheelchair accessibility;
• redevelopment of Baycrest's website to make it more user friendly;
• more communications kits to be placed on resident and patients floors,
• and more.
For more information on the details of Baycrest's Accessibility Plan please click here.
5.
What services for people with disabilities are already in place?
Ensuring that Baycrest is accessible to as many people as possible has always been important.
Our commitment is even stronger today with the establishment of Baycrest's Accessibility Plan.
Over the years many measures and practices have been put in place to address accessibility
issues. Below are some examples:
37
• advocating for hard of hearing clients on accessibility issues. One example is the Hard
of Hearing Club wrote to the TTC, on behalf of members at risk in emergencies on the
subway requesting a visual alert system;
• Occupational Therapy provides a Power Mobility Program to encourage independent
mobility;
• Baycrest has a history of providing volunteer opportunities to people who have a
variety of special needs;
• wheelchair accessible washrooms are available throughout the Centre;
• annual program to grind exterior concrete and walkways that pose an impediment or
trip hazard
• Baycrest supports onsite sale of assertive devices, which help with daily living
activities for people with disabilities.
6.
Who will pay for the costs of developing and implementing Baycrest's plan?
Hospitals, provincial ministries, municipalities, colleges, universities, school boards and public
transportation providers have been asked to develop accessibility plans using their existing
resources.
Baycrest will incorporate accessibility planning costs into to its annual operating and capital
business plan.
7.
How often does Baycrest's plan get updated?
Plans must be updated every year. Baycrest's Environment Team will ensure that the
accessibility plan is updated and incorporated into the Centre's annual operating and capital
business plan.
8.
How will Baycrest determine what changes and improvements will be done on an annual
basis?
Input will be gathered from the various stakeholder groups including staff, volunteers, patients,
residents and their families, and special interest groups.
Then the Environment Team (the team now responsible for plan updates) will use the following
criteria to prioritize the suggested changes and improvements. The criteria are:
• Aging population – client related
• Greatest benefit to the most people affected
• The frequency in which the problem is encountered during normal daily living
• The number of disabilities that are affected by the accessibility problem
• Feasibility
• Level of risk
• Affordability
9.
If I want more information about accessibility planning at Baycrest, who can I contact?
You can call Redevelopment and Support Services Office at 416-785-2500 ext, 2046 to receive
your hardcopy of the Accessibility Plan or you can e-mail Victor Oliveira, Executive Director,
38
Redevelopment and Support Services at voliveira@baycrest.org
We encourage you to identify and report your accessibility related concerns and/or suggestions
for improvements.
Staff and visitors to Baycrest can also use the “Speak Your Mind” boxes located throughout the
Centre, or contact Victor Oliveira, Executive Director, Redevelopment and Support Services, at
ext. 2406 or e-mail voliveira@baycrest.org
10. Where can I get more information on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001?
Additional information, including backgrounders and Frequently Asked Questions, is available
from:
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities ACT
Contact Centre (Service Ontario)
Toll-free 1-866-515-2025
TTY 416-325-3408 / Toll Free: 1-800-268-7095
Fax: 416-325-3407
Or visit their web site: Ontario.ca/AccessON