The Athabasca Health Authority is located in northern Saskatchewan, and provides health care services to the northernmost communities of Saskatchewan.
The five communities that we service include the Black Lake Denesųłiné First Nation, the Fond Du Lac Denesųłiné First Nation, Stony Rapids, Uranium City, and Camsell Portage.
Athabasca Health Authority
Accessibility Plan
Plan Timeframe: December 3, 2025 – December 3, 2028
I. Introduction
The Athabasca Health Authority (“AHA”) recognizes the importance of accessibility for all people and is
committed to identifying and removing barriers for the people we serve.
The following Accessibility Plan by the AHA was drafted in accordance with The Accessible Saskatchewan
Act, SS 2023, c 19 (the “Act”).
Our accessibility plan outlines the steps we will take over the next three years to improve accessibility
and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
II. Engagement and Consultations
From April 11 – 30, 2025, the AHA conducted a survey to identify the accessibility barriers that persons
with disabilities experience when they access AHA facilities, programs and services. The questions asked
by the AHA in its survey can be divided into four main categories:
• Physical barriers which make it difficult for persons with disabilities to access the AHA’s buildings
or other spaces;
• Information and communication barriers where the AHA does not provide information in a way
that everyone can access or use;
• Disability awareness barriers where people who work for the AHA think or act towards persons
with disabilities based on false ideas or beliefs; and
• Technology barriers when the AHA uses technology that is designed in a way that is not accessible
for persons with disabilities.
The AHA heard from 32 individuals in our survey whose suggestions helped to inform our accessibility
plan.
III. Commitment to Accessibility
When developing our accessibility plan, the AHA examined existing practices, programs, and services.
We want to recognize the hard work of everyone on our team to promote an inclusive workplace. At the
AHA, we value the contributions of all members and believe it is the responsibility of all employees to
ensure accessibility is valued and incorporated into our daily operations.
The AHA is committed to treating every person with respect and dignity. The AHA has been, and
continues to, make every effort to support and implement the purpose of the Act. The AHA will make
every reasonable effort to ensure that all components of its operations and business are consistent with
the objectives of the legislation and as accessible as possible.
IV. Goals and actions
Goal 1: Remove Physical Accessibility Barriers at AHA Facilities
• The general issues survey respondents had regarding physical barriers were related to parking,
drop off spaces, entrances, and wheelchair accessibility. The most common issue was related to
snow/ice/slush removal and path clearing in parking lots and entrances. There were also requests
for more parking at hospitals and clinics, and clear signage inside AHA facilities.
Action Plan for 2025-2028 - AHA will undertake to engage in the following actions:
• Monitoring the entry ways at all AHA facilities and endeavoring to keep them as clear as possible
throughout the year so individuals do not have issues accessing AHA facilities.
• Assessing signage and reviewing how to provide clearer signage to assist individuals with
navigating AHA facilities.
• Assessing the lack of bariatric services at AHA facilities.
• Reviewing the parking needs of new AHA facilities.
Goal 2: Remove Information and Communication Accessibility Barriers within the AHA
• The main issues around information and communication barriers had to do with the use of
complex language and language barriers. The main assumption around complex language is the
use of acronyms and understanding what services are offered where along with information being
difficult to read.
Action Plan for 2025-2028 - AHA will undertake to engage in the following actions:
• Assessing the staffing needs of AHA facilities with the aim of having staff who are able to speak
Dene and assist with those who have hearing impairments.
• Reviewing AHA systems and public information with the goal of ensuring they are up to date and
use clear and simple language.
• Evaluating all signage at AHA facilities and ensuring they are clear and easily understandable in
two languages for individuals attending.
Goal 3: Increase Disability Awareness within the AHA
• As it pertains to disability awareness within the AHA, there we fewer instances of this occurring
in the feedback than other sections of the survey. The general concerns were that individuals with
disabilities were treated differently than other service users and they were not provided
accommodations to support said disabilities.
Action Plan for 2025-2028 - AHA will undertake to engage in the following actions:
• Providing AHA staff with additional training and refreshers on treating individuals with disabilities.
Goal 4: Remove Technological Accessibility Barriers within the AHA
• Similar to the previous category, there were not many concerns regarding technology
accessibility. The main concerns were that the phone menus or messaging systems were
confusing, and that there are difficulty with internet access during home visits. Additionally, there
was one concern about AHA mobile apps not being available.
Action Plan for 2025-2028 - AHA will undertake to engage in the following actions:
• Regularly review AHA information and messaging systems to ensure they are up to date and
providing accurate information.
• Assessing the ability to have AHA information and message systems available in two languages.
V. Conclusion
The AHA supports the values of inclusion and accessibility. We are committed to improving accessibility
within our facilities to ensure every individual is able to access the important services the AHA provides
in a timely and effective manner.
VI. Provide Feedback
We value your feedback and welcome members of the public to submit comments about our
accessibility plan using the contact information below.
Phone: 306-439-2200
Email: Roxanne.stuckless@athabscahealthauthority.ca
Address: P.O. Box 124, Black Lake, Saskatchewan, S0J 0H0
