Patients & visitors
Coming to hospital
Accessibility for people with sensory disability and neurodiversity
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- Coming to hospital
- While you are here
- Accessibility for people with sensory disability and neurodiversity
Accessibility for sensory disability
At each hospital, lifts have automatic voice announcements at each floor and lift buttons are in braille.
Auslan interpreters can be arranged for d/Deaf or hard of hearing patients. Find out more about our interpreter services.
Guide dogs, audio dogs and other therapy animals are encouraged to accompany people around the hospital. If you need help with toileting animals and giving them access to drinking water, talk to Reception or your care staff.
Accessibility for neurodiversity
The term neurodiversity includes people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as those with other conditions, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Disability Liaison team can support neurodiverse people to access services at Austin Health. Examples of what we can provide includes:
- social scripts to describe what to expect when visiting Austin Health
- sensory items for your visit or stay at Austin Health
Autism Care Plan
The Autism Care Plan is a way for you to tell Austin Health about your needs, likes and dislikes. This care plan will help Austin Health provide you with individualised treatment and care when you stay at hospital.
You can fill out this care plan by yourself, with help from someone else or a Disability Liaison Officer before you come to Austin Health.
Once you have completed the Care Plan, please send it to the Disability Liaison Officer team. We will save it in your medical record for when you come to Austin Health. You can also bring a copy of the Care Plan with you when you come to Austin Health.
Links and downloads
Social scripts
We have created social scripts using simple language and photos that describe what to expect when visiting Austin Health. View our social scripts.
Support from Disability Liaison
Our Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) support people with disability, their families and support networks to access:
- Austin Health services and other health and human services
- inpatient and outpatient services
- COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination
We also provide advice to health care teams to provide safer, accessible, and more inclusive care.
Contact us
Disability Liaison Officer
Phone: 03 9490 7620
Email: disabilityliaison@austin.org.au
Open hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm