September 14, 2005

In tabling his Annual Accessibility Plan to the Board of Directors, the TBRHSC Director of Human Resources, Don Halpert, stated that, “Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is identifying and removing barriers for people with disabilities. Significantly, it is with the assistance of an Accessibility Advisory Team, that an Annual Accessibility Plan is developed in compliance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. It enables us to make changes to policies, programs, practices and services”.

He mentioned that the plan is one of “Continuous Improvement” and that “among the highlights of achievements from this last year were sensitivity training for staff, enhanced communication strategies, community involvement, and rigorous internal audits”. “Each”, he said, “contributed to the consideration and care of people with disabilities when they visited our facility”.

“In addition”, he stated, “the Readplease program on the TBRHSC website (www.tbrhsc.net) enables people to have an audio playback of information that especially accommodates the needs of the visually impaired. And, for the hearing challenged individuals, there are telephone amplifiers and portable Text Telephone Devices for the deaf.”

TBRHSC is grateful for the counsel of members from the CNIB, PUSH Northwest, the Canadian Hearing Society, and the Independent Living Resource Centre who give of their time to sit on the Accessibility Advisory Team.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is always looking for ways to improve service. The Accessibility Plan and Survey are also available on the internal and external websites.

For further information with respect to the TBRHSC Accessibility Plan, please contact:

Don Halpert
Director of Human Resources
(807) 684-6222

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