Ottawa Convention Centre

WHAT WE DID

WHY WE DID IT

_{^{UNIVERSAL DESIGN APPROACH}}

• A universal approach was taken to the design of the OCC, which meet the following codes, standards and requirements (whichever is more stringent):
• Ontario Building Code (2006)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) (2004)
• CAN/CSA-B651 (2004 and draft 2010), Accessible Design for the Built Environment
• The Building Beta test that was conducted to test accessibility features and emergency communications protocols prior to opening was effective

• We are required to design to the Ontario Building code by law

• Although not required to do so in Canada, we voluntarily designed to meet ADA and ADAAG requirements

• Consideration was given to Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), including the proposed draft standard for the built environment, which has yet to be passed into legislation

_^WASHROOMS

• Accessible stalls (8 men's, 8 women's) are located on all meeting levels, plus four additional back of house staff washrooms and individual/family stalls (4) are on level 2 and level 3
• Banks of washroom have a door-less entry
• Lavatories and soap dispensers are hands free
• Individual/family washrooms are at least 1500X1600 mm and include a sink in the room

• Ease of access, adequate numbers
• Ease of use
• Ease of use

• Ease of use: provides the turn radius required

^_RAMPS

• All ramps have a slope of at least 1:13 (one foot in height needs 13 feet of distance for the slope)
• Ramps have a colour contrasting warning strip at the top
• No front of house ramp is longer than 9 meters
• Ramps in the vicinity of the main entry are extremely comfortable

• Allows those in wheelchairs to navigate ramps without assistance

_{^{FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY}}

• Areas of refuge/rescue assistance are included on each floor above and below the main level
• Evacuation onto the terrace at level 3 is possible
• Visual alarms are located throughout the facility,including in all meeting rooms and washrooms

• Facilitates the safe holding and evacuation of people with mobility impairments and people who are unable to evacuate independently

• To communicate with those with hearing disabilities in the event of an emergency

_{^{WAY FINDING}}

• Colour cueing in the flooring, including carpeted area to identify decision points ( washrooms, elevators) and for way finding (dashed lines outside Canada Hall on level 3)
• Raised directional tiles and pavers
• Tactile Walking Surface Indicators (TWSI) are installed in the exterior plaza leading to the entrance from the crosswalks and in the main interior lobby leading to the building directory at the elevator
• The OCC in cooperation with the City of Ottawa and the NCC continue to work together to ensure the public routes around the OCC are accessible to all users
• Tactile and braille signage is available throughout the facility for identification of all rooms, including meeting rooms

• Convey way finding information to pedestrians with visual impairments

• Delineate paths across open plazas, crosswalks and complex indoor environments
• Ensure the safe crossing and way finding by people with visual impairments
• Ease of movement through the facility for persons with visual impairments

_^STAIRS

• Stairs have been designed without nosings
• Non-slip edge has been provided
• Contrasting handrails
• Tactile cueing

• Nosings can catch a person's foot, particularly if they have a prosthesis or if they use a cane

_^HANDRAILS

• Height of handrails is 880mm, while the upward limit provided for in the CSA is 920mm

• 920 mm is too high for many people to use comfortably

_{^{DOORS AND ENTRY POINTS}}

• All entrances are accessible and contain automatic door openers
• Accessible interior parking on P1 and P2 with accessible entrance to OCC

• Ease of access
• Ease of access

_{^{GENERAL SAFETY}}

• Protection under escalators, stairs, and ramps: a guard rail has been installed in all these locations
• Interior routes are wide and free of obstacles
• Protection at ground level from underside of the Mackenzie King Bridge stairs (guardrails/bollards)
• Locker room benches are moveable

• To prevent someone who is visually impaired from walking into the underside
• Ease of movement
• To prevent someone who is visually impaired from walking into the underside
• Accommodates a variety of wheelchair types

_{^{SOUND/HEARING IMPAIRMENTS}}

• Use of sound dampening materials and panels in meeting rooms and Canada Hall
• Assistive Listening Systems are available
• Projection services are available for captioning

• Cuts down on echo which causes difficulties for those who are hard of hearing
• ALS's are contracted by client from AV Services Provider
• To accommodate sign language interpreters                                (provided by AV Services Provider)
• Captioning services are contracted by client from AV Services Provider

_{^{DRINKING FOUNTAINS}}

• Dual height drinking fountains are located between the orb washrooms on level 4 and near the Rideau Centre entrance on level 2

• Ease of access

^_LIGHTING

• Good illumination throughout.  Retractable light shades are installed along the glass curtain wall on Level 4.
• Spot lighting is available in Canada Hall
• Projection services are available for captioning

• To accommodate sign language interpreters                                (provided by AV Services Provider)
• Captioning services are contracted by client from AV Services Provider

^{_{TOUCH PANELS}}

• Touch panel controls are located in all meeting rooms, which control light, temperature, sound, etc...
• Portable control units for persons of short stature or wheelchair users are available upon request

• All persons have the ability to control ambient environment in meeting spaces without assistance from staff

_^SHOWERS

• Controls are on the wall adjacent to the seat within reach

• Ease of access