One Aldergrove business is the first to be recognized by the Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) for its accessibility for those with disabilities.
The LifeLabs鈥� patient service centre (PSA) 鈥� where medical tests are carried out at the initial recommendation of a doctor 鈥� is part of a larger Canadian-owned company.
Its Aldergrove location was recently awarded a 69 per cent rating for a Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC), which only eight other LifeLabs PSA鈥檚 in the Lower Mainland possess.
The centre was first located on the 27100-block of Fraser Highway in Aldergrove five years ago.
After its move to 26310 Fraser Hwy. in 2014, its unit underwent extensive renovations.
Aldergrove鈥檚 LifeLabs branch supervisor Laura Scheller is pleased that there is a greater ease for patrons coming inside.
Scheller said the branch requires no elevator- or stair-access and at 鈥渁nother location patients might need help getting inside.鈥�
RHF officials mentioned the light wall colour and dark doorway paint trimming that the centre has is specifically helpful for patients with visions difficulties because 鈥渢hey can see where the openings are,鈥� Scheller retold.
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Other features of the recognized centre includes its 鈥渃ombo room鈥� where laboratory technicians can perform tests on patients using a wheelchair, its wide hallways, height-accessible reception counter, and clear signage.
LifeLabs laboratory assistant Robin Pambrun has worked at the centre for three years.
Pambrun makes use of an adjustable table which she can 鈥渟lide right up to patients鈥� located anywhere inside the centre, if patients are not able to access their a phlebotomy cubicles.
鈥淲ith the table they are able to put their arm right out鈥� for blood tests, Pambrum added.
Rick Hansen Foundation guided LifeLabs on a pilot project this year to help gauge and further suggest improvements to their centres鈥� functionality for those with disabilities.
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RHFAC measures accessibility to certain environments based upon the experience of people with varying disabilities that affect their mobility, vision, and hearing.
鈥淥ne in seven Canadian adults currently lives with a mobility, vision, or hearing disability,鈥� its website states.
There are a few things we need to improve, so we鈥檙e going to use them in our future renovation,鈥� a LifeLabs spokesperson said to the Aldergrove Star.
The branch also trained its staff to be able to participate in Canada鈥檚 first-ever Serving Patients With Autism program.
LifeLabs is a Canadian-owned business that has been in operation for nearly 50 years.
