The Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is designed to ensure people with disabilities can easily navigate and access the building’s facilities when they visit the RAH.
Getting around the hospital
The hospital design incorporates a combination of sensory aids and visual tools to assist people with a disability to navigate their way into and around the facility.
Lifts featuring braille buttons and audible level announcements are situated inside the main entrance areas on Levels 1, 2 and 3, and throughout all wings of the hospital.
Interactive touch screen kiosks are located in the main entrance areas on Levels 2 and 3 and car park lift lobbies, providing both visual and auditory directions. The wayfinding kiosks are wheelchair accessible and assist consumers with hearing or vision impairments.
Hearing loops and microphones are installed in all reception areas where patients go to check in, allowing hearing aid wearers to hear the speaker’s voice with less distortion. A hearing loop is a sound system which produces a wireless signal that is picked up by hearing aids and overcomes distance and background noise. Signage will indicate that a hearing loop is available.
Tactile ground surface indicators are in place to guide patients and visitors to the hospital’s main reception on Level 3, while contrasting colours are utilised to distinguish abutting pavements and walkway intersections.
Hospital staff and volunteers are also be available to provide directions to patients and visitors.
Where are accessible toilets located?
Accessible toilets are available on all floors of the hospital and are identified by signage.
Where are accessible parking spaces and wheelchair access?
There are 50 disabled car parking spaces available at the hospital. Allocated patient drop off and pick up spaces are on levels 1 and 2 near lift lobbies.
Some of the design features to accommodate consumers with a disability include:
- In every general inpatient room, lifting tracks have been installed to mechanically lift and turn patients where necessary
- All inpatient rooms are at least 18 square metres in size, with 36 of the rooms even larger, at 21 square metres, to accommodate patients with a disability
- Hand rails are installed in all bedrooms and run from the bedside through to the ensuite, to minimise falls risks and assist those with disabilities
- For patients staying overnight there are equipment stores adjacent to all inpatient areas where equipment can be stored
- Trolley showers are available on each floor to assist with bathing
- In the outpatient area there are two treatment rooms that have ceiling mounted lifting capability for disabled patients
- Outdoor seating with back and arm rests are available
- The main reception on Level 3 has directional tactile ground surface indicators leading people to this area
- Low walls have generally been used in external walkways
- There are various intersections of walkways where abutting pavements have contrasting colours and surfaces so a person with vision impairment can best navigate their way into and throughout the building
- All grates and earthquake joints throughout the building and external paved areas have been designed to ensure a trip free environment
- Where there are obstructions in footpaths, kerbs have been provided to assist a person with vision impairment and encourage shore lining. Building facades have been designed without obstructions to facilitate shore lining.