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Support for Patients and Healthcare Workers with Mental Health Challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic shows us how important healthcare is for every person in Ontario and around the world. In addition, the pandemic has emphasized the many barriers that already exist in the Ontario healthcare system for patients with disabilities. AODA healthcare standards could prevent and remove these barriers, and ensure that all Ontarians access the care they need. For instance, support for patients and healthcare workers with mental health challenges could prevent or remove some of the barriers Ontario patients face.
Accessible Public Health Information
The COVID-19 pandemic shows us how important healthcare is for every person in Ontario and around the world. In addition, the pandemic has emphasized the many barriers that already exist in the Ontario healthcare system for patients with disabilities. AODA healthcare standards could prevent and remove these barriers, and ensure that all Ontarians access the care they need. For instance, AODA guidelines for accessible public health information could prevent or remove some of the barriers Ontario patients face.
Enforcement Framework for Accessibility in Healthcare
Currently, there are still no AODA healthcare standards. However, an AODA standards development committee drafted recommendations of guidelines that AODA healthcare standards should include. These guidelines include an enforcement framework for accessibility in healthcare.
The committee’s mandate from the Ontario government requires recommendations focused on the hospital setting. However, patients and healthcare workers with disabilities also face barriers in other parts of the healthcare system, including:
- Doctors’ offices
AODA Healthcare Standards
Two years ago, we published a series of articles about the AODA’s lack of standards governing the healthcare sector. Currently, there are still no AODA healthcare standards. However, an AODA standards development committee has drafted recommendations of guidelines that AODA healthcare standards should include. The committee’s mandate from the Ontario government requires recommendations focused on the hospital setting. However, patients and healthcare workers with disabilities also face barriers in other parts of the healthcare system, including:
Improving Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
In the Third Review of the AODA, the Honourable David Onley recommends needed improvements to the Act. One of these improvements is a renewal of government leadership to implement the AODA. Therefore, in response to the review, the Ontario government has implemented a framework to make the province more accessible. Through this framework, called Advancing Accessibility in Ontario, the government commits to making changes that will improve opportunities for citizens with disabilities. These changes will take place in four areas of the economy. In this article, we will focus on the area of improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities.