2023 Annual Accessibility Report

• Update policies as required in the event of legal changes

• Reviewed the Accessibility Committee’s terms of reference
• Prepared and approved the 2023 annual accessibility report

• Prepare and approve the 2024 report 

• Maintained accessibility provisions in bid process and new contracts.

• Continued using the same wording in the calls for tender to account for accessibility options when procuring self-service kiosks in order to make them accessible to people with disabilities.

• Provided online training during the general onboarding offered to all new employees, volunteers and trainees, and continuous training for all staff members (Training program: Service-ABILITÉ / Serve-Ability and Travailler ensemble / Working Together – Ontario Human Rights Code). Online modules are available at all times via the Learning Management System – LMS)
• Provided specific training for certain sectors/groups/people as needed

• Continue to monitor staff compliance with the Serve-ABILITY and Working Together training programs every other year using the Learning Management System (LMS)
• Continue to publish real-life stories in the hospital’s newsletter and encourage people to share their experiences
• Under the leadership of the Quality and Risk Management Division, conduct more simulation blitzes once or twice a month in the various departments to test employee knowledge and raise awareness, when possible (COVID-19)
• Continuously assess training delivered to nurses to incorporate accessibility standards
• Update the new employee onboarding and integration program (general and specific guidance)
• Launch a new training program on customer service
• Develop virtual online orientation for volunteers

• Sought feedback on accessibility in satisfaction surveys sent to patients (NRCC tool)
• Maintained the complaints management process through the Quality and Risk Management Division
• Performed ongoing check-in consultations
  • Senior management consulted with staff and patients 
  • Manager consulted with staff and patients to identify priority issues, such as topics like parking

• Keep increasing participation by Volunteer Services in identifying obstacles and actions to improve accessibility, the mandate of the joint committee and structured discussions during team and working sub-group meetings
• Enhance the program within Volunteer Services (e.g., by accompanying patients and their families to registration points) through targeted actions to improve the experience of people with disabilities
• Continue to gather feedback from Committee members as well as all staff members with respect to barriers

• Given the visitor restrictions imposed during COVID, implemented virtual visits using iPads provided to patients with translation and sign language capabilities, for example
• Used masks designed to facilitate communications with patients who are hard of hearing

• Prepare communication kits for the Emergency Department and patient care units that include items such as a pocket talker, a magnifying glass, etc. 
• Maximize the number of information screens (more images than text)

• The Hôpital Montfort website was completely redesigned to maximize accessibility in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA
• Patient education materials available on the website are currently being converted (75 out of 250) for online publication in an accessible format
• Reports and other administrative documents available on the website are in an accessible format where possible; otherwise, a note was added to indicate that such documents are available in an adapted format upon request
• The new Hub website (launched in May 2021) complies with WCAG 2.0 AA standards

• Review and distribute the COM 105 policy (website)
• Prepare the next step in the WCAG by adding subtitles or transcriptions to the videos posted on the website
• Assess the possibility of finding a new supplier for the Hub patient portal, to make it more accessible for clients 

• Review by the Institut du Savoir Montfort of the accommodation policy for students and trainees

• The email invitation includes an active offer of accommodation measures

• Accommodation measures were made available for online tests via an external provider

• Existing policies were shared during general employee onboarding activities

• Responded to requests on an ongoing basis 

• Ongoing responses to requests

• A self-identification form was sent to all staff members to identify who among them requires an accommodation plan in the event of an emergency
• Alerts for the new emergency code announcement system (RAVE) are automatically displayed on all computer screens

• Ensure that the self-identification form is discussed at the time of hiring and during general onboarding training  

• Created plans to document the accommodation needs of staff members with disabilities (permanent or temporary)
• The Institut du Savoir Montfort updated the accommodation policy for students and trainees revised in November 2022

• Pursue the implementation of departmental emergency plans adapted to the specific needs of team members with identified disabilities, while sharing responsibility among the individuals concerned, management and the Occupational Health and Safety Service (OHSS)

• Maintained the existing accommodation procedures

• Modify or adapt procedures to better respond to the growing needs of staff with mental health problems (e.g., anxiety, depression) based on the national standard for psychological health in the workplace

• Monthly check-in consultations by managers with their team members to ask each employee whether they have all the tools they need to effectively carry out their work. A decision was made that the addition of an item to the performance appraisal form would not be necessary

• Raised staff awareness about notifying Occupational Health and Safety members if adaptations are required (mentioned in the general onboarding presentation)

• Add a clause to the recruitment policy that takes into account accessibility needs

• Followed standards for all construction/renovation projects
• Conducted a detailed review of Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards governing accessibility for health care facilities
• Installed directional signage at parking lot entrances indicating the location of designated parking spaces (multi-year project)
• Made preparations for the renovation of designated spaces (multi-year project)
• Repainted parking lot lines/markings (annual maintenance)
• Installed multiple tactile indicators where sidewalks end and become crosswalks (multi-year project)
• Prepared work on indoor traffic routes to make doors and door frames contrast against the surrounding wall surfaces and floors, the colour of the “nose” of the stairs contrasts with the steps, and the colour of the handrails contrasts with the surrounding walls (multi-year project)
• Installed or renovated accessible picnic tables

Aline-Chrétien Health Hub in Orleans:

• Corrections/modifications to some washrooms to make them more accessible (multi-year project)
• Modification of parking space lines to add cross-hatched areas and van parking signs (ongoing)
• Installed or renovated accessible picnic tables
• Adjusted volunteer reception kiosk to accommodate volunteers in wheelchairs

• Follow-up on standards for all construction/renovation projects
• Analyze existing facilities against Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards governing accessibility in health care facilities
• Install the remaining tactile attention markers where sidewalks end and become pedestrian crossings (multi-year project)
• Prepare to renovate designated spaces (multi-year project)
• Repaint parking lot lines/markings (annual maintenance)
• Prepare interior traffic-related work to make doors and door frames contrast with the surrounding wall surfaces and floors, to make the colour of stair “nosing” contrast with the steps, and to make the colour of handrails contrast with the surrounding walls (multi-year project) 
• Install directional signage (multi-year project): 
  • At the parking lot entrance, indicating the location of designated parking spaces
  • Indicating the location of the main entrance, with additional alerts (flashing lights, audible signals or integrated LED lighting) in the pedestrian crossing leading to the Lot B parking lot
  • In the multistorey staff parking garage indicating the path to the employee entrance
• Make designated accessible parking spaces conform to the requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard B651-18 (standards governing dimensions, pavement markings and directional signage) (multi-year project)

• Corrections/modifications to make certain washrooms more accessible

• See “General Requirements,” sections 3 and 7
• See “Standards for Information and Communications,” sections 11 and 12
•  Published disruption advisories (construction, detours, elevator closure, etc.) on the website
• Responded to requests for alternative document formats
• Adapted requirements for COVID vaccinations to support personnel (Note: the vaccination requirement for visitors ended over the course of the year)
   

• See “General Requirements,” sections 3 and 7
• See “Standards for Information and Communications,” sections 11 and 12 
• Review the PREVINF 220: Animals in the Hospital policy
• Implement a pilot project of “boxes” for patient adaptive equipment (glasses, hearing aids, dentures) to prevent loss when patients are not wearing them (during surgery, sleep, rest, etc.)