Individual 64956's submission
CAN-ASC-2.9 – Accessible Childcare Centres
Feedback items
Item id
1774018989954_638
Heading id
s7.4
What kind of suggestion are you making?
General comments on the overall standard or a section such as things that are missing
What should we change?
Additionally, specialized and well-trained staff, such as special education teachers or therapists, may significantly impact how effective the space can support children, parents, guardians and staff with diverse needs.
What should we change it to?
Without specialized and well-trained staff, such as special education teachers, therapists, educational assistants/personal support workers and nurses on-site, the ability of a physically accessible space to support the needs of children, parents, guardians and staff with diverse needs will be compromised.
Why should we change it?
Because the level of care children with severe disabilities require to not only be able to be present in a space physically, but to learn, grow, develop and thrive to the best of their abilities is dependent on the presence of all of these factors, not simply the physical space considerations. Without nursing on-site, children with feeding tubes, breathing support, epilepsy, T1 diabetes and other disabilities are unable to safely attend childcare or preschool. Without special education teachers and therapists, differences in learning styles, sensory, motor and cognitive disabilities become liabilities that render children "parked" rather than taught. Without educational assistants or personal support workers receiving adequate training and support themselves from nurses, special education teachers, and therapists, the repetition needed to practice new and emerging skills is grossly limited, assistive devices (such as AAC, prosthetics/orthotics, sensory tools) are poorly utilized, and safety for individual children is compromised.
For a best practice model for top-tier accessible childcare, please see Kayla's Children Centre in Thornhill, ON.
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7.4 Limits
Heading number portion
7.4
Item id
1774019301308_743
Heading id
12.4.10
What kind of suggestion are you making?
General comments on the overall standard or a section such as things that are missing
What should we change?
have a turning diameter clear space of 2,100 mm that does not overlap with at least one of the provided stationary clear spaces.
What should we change it to?
Have a turning diameter clear space of 2,100 mm and space [insert measurement here based on standards] for a minimum of three wheelchairs within the space at any given time.
Why should we change it?
Children with disabilities may or may not use wheelchairs. One or more of their parents may or may not use wheelchairs. One or more of their teachers may or may not use a wheelchair. As such, spaces intended for family waiting, consultations and other purposes should allow for the presence of at least three wheelchairs at any given time.
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12.4.10 Family area (waiting, consultation, community, or event area)
Heading number portion
12.4.10
Item id
1774019653510_279
Heading id
12.6.2
What kind of suggestion are you making?
General comments on the overall standard or a section such as things that are missing
What should we change?
currently absent from list
What should we change it to?
Have a ceiling lift installed to ensure safe transfer of individuals above [40]* pounds.
*check workplace standards for lifting by PSW, but I know it's much below the 75 kg that change tables are being required to load-bear for
Why should we change it?
Independently transferring individuals above workplace standards limits puts both caregivers individuals at risk of injury.
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12.6.2 Change tables
Heading number portion
12.6.2
Item id
1774019997835_473
Heading id
s12
What kind of suggestion are you making?
Editorial such as spelling, grammar, formatting and accessibility
What should we change?
Consider providing an adjacent seat for the adult (caregiver) accompanying the child in the stroller or mobility device.
What should we change it to?
Consider providing two side-by-side spaces for an individual in a stroller or mobility device (who may or may not attend with someone else in a mobility device). Consider providing an adjacent seat on either side of this space for an (additional) adult (caregiver) accompanying the person the stroller or mobility device.
Why should we change it?
Parents use mobility devices as well as children. When parents and children who both use mobility devices enter a reception area that is primarily made up of existing seating, they face a significant challenge, as they cannot separate from one another, but to stay together often requires parking in the middle of the seating space or blocking multiple seats in the process.
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13. Reception areas
Heading number portion
13.
Item id
1774020173997_814
Heading id
s12
What kind of suggestion are you making?
Editorial such as spelling, grammar, formatting and accessibility
What should we change?
absent from current section
What should we change it to?
Consider technical standards for the type of flooring used in reception areas.
Why should we change it?
When wheelchairs come indoors in winter/rainy weather they bring in an enormous amount of snow/moisture. Wherever they park, this moisture pools, creating the potential for slippery surfaces and falls for walking individuals. Traditional solutions such as requests to change out of boots in a vestibule are not possible to comply with.
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13. Reception areas
Heading number portion
13.
Item id
1774020405793_296
Heading id
s16.1.2
What kind of suggestion are you making?
Editorial such as spelling, grammar, formatting and accessibility
What should we change?
currently missing from section
What should we change it to?
Where play areas include raised structures, ramped access routes shall lead to meaningful opportunities for engagement for mobility-aid users.
Why should we change it?
While it is great to include ramped access to play structures, more often than not these access ramps simply lead to a dead end, with no meaningful engagement possible. The JumpStart playgrounds installed across Canada by Canadian Tire's Foundation should provide a model for this section.
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16.1.2 Access routes to play areas
Heading number portion
16.1.2
Item id
1774020496616_661
Heading id
s18.2
What kind of suggestion are you making?
Editorial such as spelling, grammar, formatting and accessibility
What should we change?
Add to section c.
What should we change it to?
are raised by six inches off the floor
Why should we change it?
provides increased access for wheelchair users
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18.2 Laundry areas
Heading number portion
18.2
Submission ID
64956
Submitted by
heather.morgan08@gmail.com