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Q&A
DOHMH's five-year accessibility plan and facility renovations
0:57:55
ยท
117 sec
Council Member Linda Lee inquires about DOHMH's five-year accessibility plan and the status of facility renovations to ensure accessibility. Deputy Commissioner Julie Friesen responds, explaining that while DOHMH facilities are accessible, they are not fully ADA compliant due to being built before 1990. She outlines ongoing efforts to improve accessibility in their clinics and offices.
- DOHMH has made entry points, waiting rooms, and exam rooms accessible in their facilities
- Ongoing renovations and retrofitting are in progress to improve ADA compliance
- New facilities opening in 2026 will be fully ADA compliant, including a new public health lab
Linda Lee
0:57:55
Okay, so let me switch over to DOHMH because I don't want you deputy commissioner to feel left out.
0:58:01
You made the time to come here, so no.
0:58:08
So is going along with your five year accessibility plan that came out in 2024, which identified several physical access issues that should be remedied.
0:58:19
So how many DOHMH facilities will need to undergo renovation projects to ensure that doors, elevators, restrooms, exam rooms, and shared communal spaces are accessible for all patients?
0:58:30
And is there an estimated timeline for some of these construction projects?
Julie Friesen
0:58:37
Thank you for that question.
0:58:38
I'm Julie Friesen, Deputy Commissioner of Administration for the Health Department.
0:58:42
I don't feel left out at all.
0:58:43
Thank you for saying that, and thank
Ivelesse Mendez-Justiniano
0:58:46
you for
Julie Friesen
0:58:46
your question.
0:58:48
So as you probably know, the health department is a relatively small provider of clinical services, healthcare services.
0:58:55
We do have a handful of clinics, and they are all accessible.
0:59:01
They're all accessible and our offices are as well.
0:59:03
Are they ADA compliant?
0:59:05
No they're not.
0:59:06
They're all built prior to 1990.
0:59:09
They don't meet those high standards which are great.
0:59:12
We wish they did.
0:59:14
It's a work in progress.
0:59:15
But we have made sure that all the entry points are accessible.
0:59:20
And in our clinic buildings, it goes beyond the entry points.
0:59:24
The waiting room areas have movable furniture.
0:59:27
The exam tables in the sexual health clinics have power beds and are adjustable, the phlebotomy chairs are accessible.
0:59:37
So we do the most of the restrooms are ADA compliant, and we are renovating and retrofitting as we can.
0:59:47
And we have more plans to do so in the future.
0:59:49
And we have wheelchair lifts and ramps as well.