Accessibility in the Canadian shelter system project summary sheet

1. Exterior environments and building entrances

Inaccessible:

• exterior routes
• building entries
• exterior amenity/rest area^{Footnote 1}

2. Interior and exterior signage and wayfinding

Missing:

• architectural wayfinding and tactile signage
• accessible, gender-inclusive signage
• ICT integration

3. Interior stairs, ramps, handrails, and elevating devices

Moderate Deficiencies:

• vertical circulation (elevator, stairs, lifts)

4. Interior doors and accessible routes

Inaccessible:

• interior doors (heavy doors, knob hardware, etc.)
• continuous circulation through buildings

5. Washrooms, showers, and change rooms

Missing:

• accessible, gender-inclusive washrooms
• emergency features in washroom/ showers
• private, accessible, showers

6. Operating controls, life-safety, and security

Missing:

• emergency response plans with accessibility considerations
• emergency features in vertical circulation (elevator, stairs, lifts)

7. Diverse human experience accommodation

Missing:

• acoustic treatment of spaces
• indoor air quality treatment of spaces

8. Shelter specific accessibility considerations

Missing:

• accessible cultural spaces
• multi-sensory environments
• lighting control^{Footnote 2}

9. Communication, and technology

Missing:

• accessible modes of communication
• digital communication affordances

1. Accessible approach and building entry

• Fully accessible building approach and building entry sequence
• Accessible tactile and sensory map of site/building at building entry

2. Accessible exterior amenity/rest space

Fully accessible exterior amenity and rest areas complete with accessible route to building access point, with provisions of overhead shelter/shading, drinking water, access to natural environment/landscaping, and comfortable seating for those in pain.

3. Accessible intake/communication space

Fully accessible dedicated intake space, equipped with assistive communication tools; conducive to intake processes (e.g. bed bug protocols) in a dignified manner. Include a fully accessible washroom, change area, and shower (operator input req.).

4. Accessible cultural/quiet room

Fully accessible cultural/quiet room (for smudging, prayer, meditation, a space for those who need to get away from chaos, to read, rest, if suffering from insomnia, etc.).

5. Accessible private sleeping room

Fully accessible private sleeping room(s), including accessible furniture, located on floor of building with accessible vertical access (for example, elevator).

6. Accessible signage and wayfinding systems

Fully accessible and cohesive signage and wayfinding systems. Includes signage and wayfinding to accessible and gender-inclusive washrooms, accessible entries and other particularly accessible spaces.

7. Sensory accommodation improvements

• Task lighting with dimmer function in sleeping rooms/bunks
• Audio/noise (cancellation, pink, white) devices
• Sound baffles/treatment sound dampening for large open areas
• Acoustic improvements to existing intake spaces and sleeping spaces
• Acoustic treatment of HVAC in sleeping, dining, and quiet areas
• Improve air quality (for example, smudging spaces, service/ companion animal areas.)

8. Accessible washroom and shower with shelter specific amenities

Fully accessible private washroom(s) and shower(s), complete with a full range of emergency provisions such as emergency call button, emergency fall floor sensors, etc.

9. Integration and use of ICT and digital technologies

Better integration and use of ICT and digital technologies, particularly for patron communication internally and with external resources.