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Information Centre d'information Southlake introduces dedicated TTY telephone number for patients and community members
Information Centre d'information Southlake introduces dedicated TTY telephone number for patients and community members
Southlake introduces dedicated TTY telephone number for patients and community members
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(Newmarket, Ontario) – November 22, 2010 — As part of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s ongoing commitment to comply with and exceed the Customer Service Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, the Hospital is pleased to announce the availability of a teletypewriter (TTY) line for patients and visitors that are Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. The new TTY line is available at 905-952-3062. A TTY is a device that is equipped with a keyboard and a small display screen that enables users to send typed messages over telephone lines. Many people who are Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or Deafblind use TTYs to communicate with individuals over the telephone.
The TTY line is an opportunity for the hospital to reach out to more patients and community members. “As a provider of high-quality healthcare services, we have an obligation to ensure all of our patients can freely access the services offered within our facility,” said Marcelino Moniz, Chair, Accessibility Committee. “The introduction of a dedicated TTY line ensures that those individuals who have difficulty using a standard telephone line can still connect to the hospital and obtain the information they require.”
Southlake looked to the expertise and guidance of the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) in the development of the new TTY service. CHS provided the on-site training to telecommunications staff at the hospital to ensure staff members knew how to receive calls through the TTY and communicate with the individual on the other end of the line.
“Southlake has been visionary in consulting with CHS for information on how to remove barriers to communication in the hospital setting. To date, Southlake has created an Accessibility Plan, updated their policy for providing Sign Language Interpretation, purchased communication devices and has provided awareness training for all staff, physicians, students and volunteers,” says Diane Gregoris, member of the CHS Board of Directors and local Community Development Council. “Including a TTY number, as part of the hospital’s contact information sends a welcoming and positive message. Now, members of the Deaf and hard of hearing communities can contact the hospital directly for information they need without relying on others - just as a person with hearing could.”
“CHS applauds the staff at Southlake for their ongoing commitment to providing barrier-free access to communication for their patients and family members,” Gregoris adds.
The Hospital has committed to ensuring the TTY number is published through a wide variety of communication methods, including on the hospital’s website and printed on all patient education materials. In addition to the new TTY line, there are portable TTYs for outgoing calls and public pay phones equipped with TTYs in the East Entrance and Emergency Waiting Room.
“Establishing a TTY line is just another step in Southlake’s journey towards ensuring barrier-free access to our facility, our programs, and our services,” said Moniz.
-30-
Media Contact:
Andrea Griepsma
Corporate Communications
905-895-4521, ext 2169
(Newmarket, Ontario) – November 22, 2010 — As part of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s ongoing commitment to comply with and exceed the Customer Service Standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, the Hospital is pleased to announce the availability of a teletypewriter (TTY) line for patients and visitors that are Deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. The new TTY line is available at 905-952-3062. A TTY is a device that is equipped with a keyboard and a small display screen that enables users to send typed messages over telephone lines. Many people who are Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or Deafblind use TTYs to communicate with individuals over the telephone.
The TTY line is an opportunity for the hospital to reach out to more patients and community members. “As a provider of high-quality healthcare services, we have an obligation to ensure all of our patients can freely access the services offered within our facility,” said Marcelino Moniz, Chair, Accessibility Committee. “The introduction of a dedicated TTY line ensures that those individuals who have difficulty using a standard telephone line can still connect to the hospital and obtain the information they require.”
Southlake looked to the expertise and guidance of the Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) in the development of the new TTY service. CHS provided the on-site training to telecommunications staff at the hospital to ensure staff members knew how to receive calls through the TTY and communicate with the individual on the other end of the line.
“Southlake has been visionary in consulting with CHS for information on how to remove barriers to communication in the hospital setting. To date, Southlake has created an Accessibility Plan, updated their policy for providing Sign Language Interpretation, purchased communication devices and has provided awareness training for all staff, physicians, students and volunteers,” says Diane Gregoris, member of the CHS Board of Directors and local Community Development Council. “Including a TTY number, as part of the hospital’s contact information sends a welcoming and positive message. Now, members of the Deaf and hard of hearing communities can contact the hospital directly for information they need without relying on others - just as a person with hearing could.”
“CHS applauds the staff at Southlake for their ongoing commitment to providing barrier-free access to communication for their patients and family members,” Gregoris adds.
The Hospital has committed to ensuring the TTY number is published through a wide variety of communication methods, including on the hospital’s website and printed on all patient education materials. In addition to the new TTY line, there are portable TTYs for outgoing calls and public pay phones equipped with TTYs in the East Entrance and Emergency Waiting Room.
“Establishing a TTY line is just another step in Southlake’s journey towards ensuring barrier-free access to our facility, our programs, and our services,” said Moniz.
-30-
Media Contact:
Andrea Griepsma
Corporate Communications
905-895-4521, ext 2169
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