Full Accessibility at home

Transcription

1 Full Accessibility at home DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide August 12, 2014 Presentation to the Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee

2 DeafBlind Ontario Services Founded in 1989, DeafBlind Ontario Services is the largest not-for-profit organization in Ontario providing Intervenor, residential and other specialized services to adults who are deafblind. Over 60 individuals live in six service locations - Simcoe County, York Region, Middlesex-Oxford, Tri-Cities, Durham- Peterborough, and the National Capital Region

3 Deafblindness A Unique Disability 95% of what we learn comes from our eyes and ears Deafblindness is a complex disability combining varying degrees of both hearing and visual impairment, making it unique to each individual. Although a person who is deafblind may not be completely deaf or completely blind, they do not have enough of either sense to navigate their environment independently

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5 The People We Support Each one of the people we serve requires a unique level of support Without the support of our specially trained staff, called Intervenors, our clients have no understanding of every day concepts we take for granted. Even with this severe disability, our clients have the capacity to build their life skills, gain independence and contribute to the greater community with the support of specially trained Intervenors and specialized housing that caters to their needs.

6 Our Clients Their Homes DeafBlind Ontario Services has 16 homes and three apartments across the province, with some of our homes classified as B3 homes Our clients homes, both existing and new builds, have been adapted as much as possible to meet their needs. In 2013, DeafBlind Ontario Services conducted a complete review of its homes for both sensory and physical accessibility, which resulted in developing the Accessibility Standards Guide.

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8 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide Its intent is to share standards and provide helpful tips that focus on establishing inclusive home environments for individuals with varying sensory loss Accessible design approaches for space maneuverability, illumination, use of colour, textures and specialized products Objective of using these standards is to increase functionality, safety, independence and overall accessibility for those with varying abilities

9 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide The Guide is divided into three sections. Detailed accessible design guidelines for each area of the house Quick design tips DIY Orientation and Accessibility Enhancements

10 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide Accessible Design Guidelines For the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and other living spaces, this section of the Guide provides detailed information about illumination, colour contrast, doors, flooring, switches and controls, electrical outlets, counters and cabinets, acoustics, even appliances. More importantly, this section gives the importance behind a particular guideline such as it is safer for the individual to have grab bars in the bathroom.

11 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide Quick Design Tips This section of the Guide acts as a quick reference guide for illumination, colour contrast, doors, flooring, switches and controls, electrical outlets, counters and cabinets, acoustics and so on in each room of the house. The information is listed in easy-to-read point form.

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13 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide DIY Orientation and Accessibility Enhancements DeafBlind Ontario Services does not receive government funding to do accessibility upgrades, so the organization has had to be creative in order to maximize accessibility for its clients on a minimal budget. From colour contrasting toilet seats available at Walmart to illuminating a closet with a Dollarama LED push light, this section of the Guide gives excellent budget-wise options.

14 DeafBlind Ontario Services Accessibility Standards Guide what it means for you The Guide is available to anyone in the community who needs to adapt their homes in order to make them more accessible for individuals with sensory or physical impairments. For an electronic version of the Accessibility Standards Guide, please contact Susan Manahan at , ext 228 or your request to

15 Thank You from DeafBlind Ontario Services