When you design your medical practice, there are a lot of factors to consider. You will have to think about how the colours you choose will affect your visitors, the efficiency of the reception area, and how your patients will gain access to the location. Below, Lions Den Construction explains why it is important to have a medical office design that is accessible.
Address a Variety of Disabilities
There are so many different disabilities to consider, and not all of them are visible. When creating a medical office, it is important to think about wheelchair users, those who are visually impaired, patients who may have a lower cognitive function, along with many others.
Being vision impaired can make navigating even the simplest place very difficult. Including braille signs on doors and in hallways can help those with impaired vision to move about with confidence. The same goes for those who are hearing impaired. Signage that gives clear directions along with light clues during emergencies is a helpful way to ensure all of your patients will be safe.
Disabilities that can’t be seen are equally as important. Patients who suffer from conditions such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, or Fibromyalgia also have trouble navigating in public spaces. Some of these conditions cause constant bone and joint dislocations, while others trigger moderate to severe pain in the joints and muscles. POTS, in particular, causes an increased heart rate anytime the patient is standing on their feet.
Making Your Medical Office Accessible
Now that you know some of the common disabilities that plague the population, you can take steps to incorporate solutions in your design. Some solutions you may consider including are:
- Forms and signage offered in Braille.
- Visible directions and emergency signage for the hearing impaired.
- Extra seating in various areas for those who suffer from chronic pain or weakness.
- Larger hallways, walkways, sitting rooms, and other areas for those with wheelchairs.
- Ramps and safety rails for those with mobility issues and wheelchairs.
Hire a Professional Renovation Crew
One of the best ways to make sure that your practice has all the accessibility options it needs is by hiring the right crew, such as the team here at Lions Den Construction. The construction company you hire should have experience with creating accessible options for medical practices in particular. That experience should be paired with skill, an intimate understanding of the needs disabled patients may have, and a willingness to work those changes into your office aesthetic.
How We Can Help
Our Toronto custom medical construction company would love to help you with your next project. We are able to work with you to bring your ideas to life in a way that also ensures your disabled patients have easy access to your services. If you are interested in learning more, give us a call at (416) 893-8318 today.
