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Accessibility
SickKids is committed to providing equitable and accessible services, program and facilities. We are dedicated to being accessible and compliant in all accessibility standards of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and in creating a welcoming, barrier-free environment for patients, staff and the community.
Need accessibility support during your stay or visit to SickKids? If you:
- need any specific assistance or support related to accessibility;
- have any questions about our accessibility commitment to you;
- would like to receive a SickKids document or any other relevant processes in text or alternate format; and/or
- are a potential staff, trainee, or volunteer with a disability, and would like to learn about workplace accommodations
Email: accessibility.questions@sickkids.ca
Phone: Call our Accessibility Contact at 416-813-7654 ext. 228315.
Accessibility Policy & Plan
Consistent with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the SickKids Accessibility Policy and Plan provide guidance on services that are available to accommodate individuals, outline how feedback and issues will be managed, and outline training expectations of staff.
Read our Accessibility Policy (PDF)
Read our Accessibility Plan 2022–2024 (PDF)
Need an alternative format of our Policy and Plan? Request an alternative format.
Accessibility accommodations
Accommodation is a term used to describe the supports, services, and resources made available to individuals with disabilities, such as mobility and communication supports, service animals, assistive devices and documents in different formats. These ensure that all programs and services are accessible to the entire SickKids community.
How to request an accommodation
- If you are coming to SickKids and you or your child requires an accommodation during your visit, we encourage you to contact the clinic or unit prior to your visit.
- Please use the online Directory or call the general inquiries telephone number if you need assistance connecting to the appropriate clinic or unit: 416-813-1500.
- If you need help at any time while you are in the hospital, you can ask someone at the Information Desk on the main floor in the Atrium. The desk is closest to the Elizabeth Street entrance.
Common accommodations
The entrances on the main floor of the hospital are wheelchair accessible. The main entrance to the hospital is at 170 Elizabeth Street or the parking garage.
Learn more about how to get to SickKids on Map & Directions.
Barrier-free washrooms are found throughout the hospital.
Main (M) floor
- Atrium (behind the information desk): universal family washroom, male, and female washrooms
- Terrace Café (behind the water fountain): male and female washrooms
- Black Wing (in the hallway between the Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Hortons): male and female washroom
11th floor
- Burton Wing (near the Burton Wing elevators): universal family washroom
Service (S) floor
- Black Wing Room S213 (across from Rehabilitation Services): private barrier-free washroom with large change table
Universal family washrooms have large adult-sized change beds and lifts (bring your own sling). Male and female washrooms in the Atrium have large change tables suitable for both children and teens. View our hospital map (which includes barrier-free washroom locations found on the main floor) on Maps & Directions.
Wheelchairs are available at:
- 170 Elizabeth Street (by the green benches)
- 555 University Avenue
Wheel-Trans pick-up and drop-off points are located at:
- 170 Elizabeth Street (main entrance in the Atrium)
- 555 University Avenue (between Gerrard and Elm streets)
We provide free interpretation services for many languages, including American Sign Language (ASL). If you require interpretation services, let your health-care provider know and they will book an interpreter for you prior to your visit. Learn more about our Language Interpretation Services.
Your service animal is welcome to accompany you during your visit. There may be situations where animals are excluded from an environment by law, but SickKids will attempt to arrange an alternate service where appropriate and available.
Telecommunications devices for people with a hearing impairment (such as amplifiers, communication boards, computers, teletypewriters, TELUS Relay Service and interpretation services) are available to patients and families. If you require an assistive device, please let your health-care provider know and they will make the necessary arrangements.
Volunteer greeters can be found at the main entrances of the hospital during certain times of day. They can help escort you around the hospital. Please know that volunteer greeters cannot lift or transfer patients or visitors.
Digital accessibility refers to how well people with visual, hearing, motor and or cognitive challenges can access our website content. SickKids is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience. We want everyone who visits to feel welcome and find the experience useful.
Our website endeavors to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0, level AA. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities and conformance with these guidelines helps to make the web a more inclusive space.
We use a digital tool to perform automated checks for accessibility and have also had an external evaluation of the website to make us aware of accessibility issues present on our site.
As we post new content, build new pages, add new features to sickkids.ca, ensuring our website is accessible for all users is a responsibility we are committed to. We actively work to fix identified issues as they come up to increase the accessibility and usability of our website.
If you have a question or comment related to accessibility on sickkids.ca, please provide feedback to patient.relations@sickkids.ca. You can also request alternative formats of documents or processes by filling out our Accessible Format Request Form.
Accessible Format Request Form
Documents found on the SickKids website can be requested in alternative forms such as large print, plain language or accessible electronic format. To request information in an alternative format please fill out our Accessible Form Request Form.
Embracing accessibility at our workplace
At SickKids, we are committed to ensuring that our staff, trainees, and volunteers are adhering to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and are facilitating respect for our patients and families and meeting their unique needs.
Customer service standards
Customer service standards training aims to support an inclusive environment as staff, trainees, and volunteers interact with people with disabilities. Staff, trainees and volunteers receive training around:
- communicating effectively with people with disabilities;
- accommodating the needs of people with disabilities;
- accessing and utilizing resources in a timely manner to enhance communication (such as amplifiers, computers, interpretation services, etc.); and
- the importance of embracing excellence in customer service delivery.
Integrating accessibility standards
Integrating accessibility standards throughout SickKids means that we are:
- creating and implementing hospital-wide accessibility policies, plans, and training;
- improving access to employment by making the hiring process accessible, and creating accommodation and emergency response plans for staff with disabilities;
- facilitating the safe return to work of injured or ill staff; and
- making our information and communication accessible to patients and families with disabilities by making any new website accessible and providing alternate formats for documents upon request.
Staff, trainees, and volunteers are also provided with ongoing learning opportunities.
How to request a workplace accommodation
- If you are applying for a job at SickKids and would like to request an accommodation, SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired.
- Available accommodations include but are not limited to: use of assistive devices, use of service animals or support persons, access to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and alternative formats for documents, advance copies of interview questions, space accommodations (quiet locations, lighting adjustments, seating arrangements), and more.
- Information received related to access or inclusion will be addressed confidentially. If you need help at any time or want to learn more about accommodations during the recruitment and hiring process, please contact ask.hr@sickkids.ca and learn more about our Workplace Inclusion practices.