Committed to Equality & Equity
The Timmins and District Hospital (TADH) is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. We will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and by meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Accessibility Program
The hospital’s Accessibility Program is intended to establish accessibility standards for all persons at the hospital, consistent with the hospital’s mission, mission and values, Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario’s Human Rights Code. To that end, TADH will identify, remove and prevent barriers with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures, premises, or such other things as prescribed by Ontario’s Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.
Disability Definitions
A “disability” is
- 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 co-ordination, 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.
- A condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability.
- A learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language.
- A mental disorder.
- An injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997.
Disability Barriers
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 a physical barrier, an architectural barrier, an informational or communications barrier, an attitudinal barrier, a technological barrier, a policy or a practice (organizational barrier).
Architectural & Physical Barriers
Architectural and physical barriers are features of buildings or spaces that cause problems for people with disabilities. Examples are:
- Hallways and doorways that are too narrow for a person using a wheelchair, electric scooter or walker.
- Counters that are too high for a person of short stature.
- Poor lighting for people with low vision.
- Doorknobs that are difficult for people with arthritis to grasp.
- Parking spaces that are too narrow for a driver who uses a wheelchair.
- Telephones that are not equipped with telecommunications devices for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.
Information or Communications Barriers
Information or communications barriers happen when a person can’t easily understand information. Examples are:
- Print is too small to read.
- Websites that can’t be accessed by people who do not use or are not able to use a mouse.
- Signs that are not clear or easily understood.
Attitudinal Barriers
Attitudinal barriers are those that discriminate against persons with disabilities. Examples are:
- Thinking that persons with disabilities are inferior.
- Assuming that a person who has a speech impairment can’t understand you.
- A receptionist who ignores a customer in a wheelchair.
Technological Barriers
Technological barriers occur when a technology can’t be modified to support various assistive devices. An example is:
- A website that doesn’t support screen-reading software.
Organizational Barriers
Organizational barriers are an organization’s policies, practices or procedures that discriminate against persons with disabilities. Examples are:
- A hiring process that is not open to persons with disabilities.
- A practice of announcing important messages over an intercom that persons with hearing impairments cannot hear clearly.
Accessibility Training
The hospital shall provide training about the standards in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and on the Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with disabilities to:
- All employees and volunteers.
- All persons who participate in developing the organization’s policies.
- All other persons who provide goods, services or facilities on behalf of TADH.
The training mentioned above shall be specific to the duties of the employees, volunteers and other persons receiving the training.
Assistive Devices
Available assistive devices include, but are not limited to:
- Wheelchairs are available at the front and back entrance.
- Accessible washrooms are available on all three floors of the hospital.
The following equipment is also available through the communications department. Please advise your health care team member that you will require this equipment during your stay with us.
- Uniphone 1000 TTY (for use in patient’s room).
Service Animals
Service animals are welcome at TADH. As part of our commitment to making our hospital as accessible as possible, we make every effort to comply with The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act of 2005. To that end, we ask that all service animals be clearly marked with identification cards, harnesses or jackets. We also ask that service animal owners take responsibility for their animals’ care, supervision, behaviour, training, and immunization.
Interpretive Services
If you need an interpreter, your care team will help you arrange for one. We have access to health care team members who can provide interpretation in the language of your choice. We will make every effort to arrange to have an interpreter on site for you.
Accessibility Resources
For more information, to raise any accessibility concerns or suggest possible improvements, or to request documents in an accessible format or communication supports, please contact our Communications Specialist.
