ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

COCHRANE TEMISKAMING CHILDREN’S TREATMENT CENTRE

AIM

The aim of this report is to describe measures that the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre took during 2002/2003 and will take during 2003/2004, to identify, remove and prevent barriers to all Ontarians in accessing our facilities and services, including Staff, Families and Children, Students, Volunteers and other Members of the Public.

August / 09 – the aim is to describe on an ongoing basis, the measures that were taken to remove identified barriers in the building and satellite offices of the Centre.

OBJECTIVES

This report:

·     Describes the process by which the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre identifies, removes, and prevents barriers to people with disabilities.  (site surveys, review of printed materials, survey of clientele, staff and volunteers using offices, survey of members of public and tenants using offices.)

·     Reviews the progress that Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre has made in removing and preventing barriers that were identified last year in its facilities, policies, programs, practices and services. N.A.

·      Lists the facilities, policies, programs, practices and services that the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre will review in the coming year to identify barriers to people with disabilities. (as per survey)

·      Describes the measures that the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre will take in the coming year to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities.

·     Describes the ways that the Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre will make this accessibility plan available to the public.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION

The Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre was established in 1980 and provides services to physically disabled children and support and information to their families in the Districts of Cochrane and Temiskaming. 

The Centre employs approximately 30 Staff Members.  These consist of Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Social Worker, Recreation Therapist, Therapy Assistants and Program Support Staff and Management. 

 The average caseload of these two combined programs is approximately 500 children.

Update – July / 09 – The ISNC Program no longer exists – the average caseload of the Centre continues to be 500.

Update – May / 11 – the Centre’s caseload is averaging approximately 850.

The Centre is located in Timmins at 733 Ross Avenue East. 

The ISNC Program utilizes an office in Kapuskasing at the Model City Mall, 25 Brunetville Road.

Update – July / 09 - this office is now operated by the Centre

The Centre shares two other Satellite Offices with the ISNC Program.  One is in Kirkland Lake at  Burnside and the other is in New Liskeard at 17 Wellington Street.

Update – July / 09 – the Centre’s Satellite office in New Liskeard is now located on Scott Street, co-located with the Keeper’s Day Care Program. -

Update – September / 10 – the Centre’s Satellite office in Kirkland lake is now located at 75 Government Road East.

THE ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE

The Accessibility Committee was formed in July, 2003 via an appointment by Mary MacKay, the Executive Director.  She will take on the duties of the Coordinator. 

COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING

The Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre provides services to physically disabled children and so places prime importance in ensuring that physical access to all its premises is assured.  Members of the public including those with various disabilities also use our facilities for meetings. 

The Centre does employ people with disabilities and wishes to ensure that disabled employees are comfortable working at the Centre.

The Centre will allocate funds when possible to respond to the needs of our disabled clients and employees. 

The Committee will become a standing one at the Centre and its terms of reference will be included in the Centre’s Policies.

RECENT BARRIER-REMOVAL INITIATIVES

2005 – cutting down curbs around the building , new lift in first floor washroom

2006 – accessible playground developed and open to the public, automatic door

            for upstairs washroom, automatic door for upstairs stairwell

2007 – made more space in Kids in Motion room by removing sink/cabinet

2008 – widening of several doors on main floor for publicly used rooms

2009 – new accessible washroom with accessible shower and plinth

2010 – new accessible kitchen and more accessible taps in therapy rooms and

            Washrooms

2011 – installed 2 new higher toilets – replaced some equipment in accessible

            playground.

REVIEW PROCESS

The Accessibility Committee will meet twice a year unless an issue surfaces that requires an additional meeting. 

A physical survey of the facility will be completed on an annual basis by the Committee.  A baseline survey will be completed involving specific Staff who use the Satellite Offices and any physical barriers identified there will be included in our Barrier List.

The Committee will develop a survey for Staff, clients, tenants and specific members of the public who use the Centre building.  The survey will include questions about the Centre’s printed material, facilities, grounds, etc.  Barriers identified by these processes will be added to our Barrier List. 

The Committee will prioritize the items on the Barrier List, giving weight to those barriers affecting the most amount of people or causing the greatest issues for a few.

The Committee will review the Barrier List at every meeting, ensuring that timeframes are being met for the elimination of barriers.

COMMUNICATION

This report will be posted on our website.