GREAT NORTHERN RETIREMENT HOME

Accessibility Policy and Multi-Year Plan • Facility and Health and Safety

 

GOAL: Improve opportunities for people with disabilities

SCOPE: All Staff  

 

  • Great Northern Retirement Home is committed to ensuring equal access and participation for people with disabilities.

  •  We are committed to treating people with disabilities in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence.

  • We believe in meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner.

We will accomplish this by removing and preventing barriers to accessibility and by meeting our accessibility requirements under            Ontario's accessibility laws.

  • Great Northern Retirement Home will review policy every year to ensure compliancy.

 

TRAINING:

We will provide training to employees, volunteers and other staff members on Ontario's accessibility laws and on the Human Rights Code as it relates to people with disabilities. Training will be provided in a way that best suits the duties of employees, volunteers and other staff members.

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 ACCESSIBILITY:

  • All rooms and exits are wheel chair accessible     

  • Resident must agree to Facility policy for use of motorized vehicles such as scooter.     

  • Facility policy on personal assistance devices to be reviewed annually.     

  • All exits to be accessible and clear of any obstructions and safe for entering and exiting.     

  • All bathroom and shower units will be equipped with bars for mobility assistance.

 

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE DEVICES:     

  • If you need to have a long conversation with someone in a wheelchair or scooter, consider sitting so you can make eye contact.  

  • Personal assistance devices are not to be tampered with or repaired since they belong to resident.     

  • Personal assistance devices are not to be moved so that safe mobility is at risk.

 

VISION LOSS:     

  • Identify yourself and speak directly to person     

  • Assist with reading material (large print, color coding)     

  • Be precise and descriptive with directions     

  • Offer your elbow as guidance.

 

HEARING LOSS:     

  • Talk clearly and in front of person so they can see your face and read your lips.     

  • Attract attention by gently tapping on shoulder prior to beginning to speak     

  • Reduce background noise and move to a quiet area to speak     

 

SPEECH OR LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT     

  • Patience and give person time to speak     

  • Ask questions that require short answers     

 

LEARNING AND MENTAL DISABILITIES:   

  • Be patient     

  • Become familiar with what the disability is     

  • Use plain language     

  • Provide one piece of information at a time     

  • Treat them with the same respect and consideration you have for others

 

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS: We are committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities.

We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs. Our current website is under review and updating. It will provide information regarding accessibility for new and existing residents.

 

EMPLOYMENT: We are committed to fair and accessible employment practices. When requested, we will accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes and when people are hired. We will develop and put in place a process for developing individual accommodation plans and return-to-work policies for employees that have been absent due to a disability. The accessibility needs of employees with disabilities will be considered for performance, career development and

re-training if necessary.

 

DESIGN OF PUBLIC PLACES:     

All public places will be:     

  • Maintained for safety and risk for falls daily.     

  • Sitting furniture to be repaired when necessary.     

  • See facility Fire and Emergency Plans for safe accessibility in emergency situations.