Accessibility & Health Equity

Accessibility 

The Government enacted the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2005. This act lays the framework for the development of province-wide mandatory standards on accessibility in all areas of daily life including;

  • Customer Service
  • Employment
  • Information and Communications
  • Transportation
  • Design of Public Spaces


The Hanover & District Hospital (HDH) and Health Equity Committee is committed to fulfilling our requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. HDH is committed to promoting and providing an environment where respect, independence, and dignity are equally demonstrated at all times, to all patients.  We shall provide accessible service for our patients and visitors.  

 

Health Equity

The Health Equity Committee will create a culture, working in partnership both internally and externally, to make recommendations and initiate strategies to remove barriers of accessing healthcare to enhance the patient and workplace experience. This will involve the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Senior Friendly Hospital framework, diversity, cultural sensitivity and Indigenous awareness. 

 

The Health Equity Committee's responsibilities and objectives are: 

  • To develop and/or recommend strategies to implement improvements in systems and processes that align with the goals of the organization, consistent with the provincial Senior Friendly Hospital framework, to enable seniors to maintain optimal health and function while they are hospitalized, so they can successfully transition home or to the next level of appropriate care;
  • To ensure that legislative requirements with respect to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 are met; evaluate and make recommendations on matters related to goods, services, accommodation, employment, buildings, wayfinding, structures and premises that will impact patient, staff or visitor accessibility;
  • To build capacity to provide safe, quality care for diverse and vulnerable populations through increasing the cultural competencies of Hanover & District Hospital employees by providing proactive education and organizational training and development aimed at creating an environment that embraces diversity and cultural sensitivity, including Indigenous;
  • Establish a monitoring framework to ensure continuous improvement to measure the effectiveness of implementation strategies and monitor indicators related to health equity and accessibility (for example patient satisfaction, employee and physician experience use of translation services and opportunities for improvement arising from complaints); and
  • To create a healthier and more inclusive workplace environment for all staff, volunteers and physicians.

View our Accessibility & Health Equity Plan 

View our Accessibility Status Report 2023/24
View our Accessibility Policy


Resources