News Archive > November 22nd, 2004: KDH working with the community to improve accessibility
Kemptville District Hospital
2675 Concession Road, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Tel: (613) 258-6133; Fax: (613) 258-7853
November 22, 2004
KDH working with the community to improve accessibility
In response to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Kemptville District Hospital has recently completed its second Accessibility Work Plan for 2004-05. The plan recommends a number of initiatives to make the hospital more accessible to members of the public with disabilities.
"Kemptville District Hospital is committed to ensuring that we are barrier-free," said Executive Director Lynne Budgell. "I encourage anyone in the community who discovers a barrier to access to please let me know."
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, was enacted to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and provide for their involvement in the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to their full participation in the life of the province.
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.
Among the initiatives recommended in the 2004-05 accessibility plan are measures ranging from renovating the main lobby washroom to make it handicapped accessible to installing a Braille panel in the elevator. Existing hospital policies will be reviewed annually, and periodic surveys of the staff and public will be conducted.
Committee members included hospital staff Kevin Greer, Donna Gogo, Suzanne Tousant, Lorraine Swail, Lauri Presley and Harold Westendorp, and Hilda Scott of the KDH Auxiliary. Ms. Budgell noted the hospital is particularly grateful for the assistance of Sharon Darch, a disabled member of the community, "who provided excellent input."
To view the complete Accessibility Plan for 2004-05, visit the hospital website at www.kdh.on.ca.
For more information contact:
Lynne D. Budgell, Executive Director
(613) 258-6133 ext. 132