Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) is committed to eliminating the accessibility barriers that people face every day. Whether these barriers are physical or if they are in the way we communicate, we will do whatever we can to support you. If you have comments, questions or concerns about accessibility at KHSC or if you require information in another format, please phone us at 613-548-2359 or send an email to Accessibility@KingstonHSC.ca.
Learn more about the KHSC Accessibility Plan.
Read our 2023 Accessibility Report.
Accessible entrances
Hotel Dieu Hospital site
If you would like to learn the locations of our accessible entrances at the Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) site, click here.
Kingston General hospital site
If you would like to learn the locations of our accessible entrances and washrooms at the Kingston General Hospital (KGH) site, click here.
If you would like to learn more about accessibility services in Kingston, please visit 211 Ontario.
If you have a hearing impairment
If you are a person with partial or complete hearing loss, your health care team will arrange to have a special-service telephone installed in your room. Special telephone services include:
- TTY telecommunication service.
- Higher decibel levels - you may also adjust the volume on the phones located in the hospital.
Other types of devices available at KHSC to assist with hearing impairments are:
- Pocket Talkers, which are personal amplifiers that can aid in hearing conversations with your health care team.
- Closed captioned televisions – All of the televisions at the KGH site have closed captioning available if you are interested. To order a television, click here.
If you have a visual impairment
At KHSC, audible signals are featured in all main elevators at both sites to assist if you have a visual impairment. All of the elevators feature braille numbers on the control panels. We also have tactile numerals on the wayfinding signs located around the building on each level.
Mobility Assistance
If you require assistance in getting around either site, we are happy to help. Porters are available to help with wheelchair transport and volunteers are available if you are able to walk, but would like an escort. If you have an appointment and require assistance, please provide our clinic staff with as much advance notice as possible, and identify the level of assistance you require so that we can ensure that someone is available to help you when you arrive. If you require a wheelchair, they are located at the main entrances of both sites. Information desks are also located at each of our main entrances to provide further information and assistance.
If you or a loved one require assistance getting into or out of your vehicle, please call our Protection Services Department at 613-549-6666, extension 4142 and a security officer will assist you.
If you use a mobility device such as a powered chair, please keep in mind that they should not be operated at a rate above a normal walking speed in the hospital.
Temporary Disruptions
Whenever services including access to entrances, elevators and accessible washrooms are impacted, signs will be placed at the location of the closure indicating alternate accessible options. The signage will provide information including the nature of the disruption and if possible its anticipated duration. If you require assistance, please speak to a member of our staff.
Interpretive services
If you need an interpreter, a member of your care team will help you arrange for one. We have access to professional interpreters and translators and can arrange to have one on site for you. In some circumstances we can also arrange for an interpreter to be on site for face-to-face interpretation. This would occur when telephone interpretation would be difficult (for example, if the patient has hearing loss) or when the length or complexity of your hospital visit means you would be better served by a translator on site.
Should you need a sign language interpreter, we can offer support and cover the cost of a sign language interpreter for patients who are Deaf, or hard of hearing. Please provide office or clinic staff with plenty of notice. You can also make your own arrangements by calling the Canadian Hearing Services at 1-866-518-0000 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Service animals
Service animals are always welcome at KHSC, however we ask that all service animals have identification cards, harnesses or vests when in the building. We also remind service animal owners that they are responsible for their animal's care, supervision and behaviour while on site. For more information on service animals in the hospital, please read our service animals policy.
