Family waiting room

Each year, the Centre de réadaptation (CRDP) Raymond-Dewar welcomes many children and their families who benefit from the services of three different programs, with follow-ups that can be either regular or short-term. For example, in the Deafness program for early childhood, speech therapy and audiology follow-ups take place on a weekly basis.

It was therefore important to create an adequate space to accommodate them at the Rehabilitation Center. Therefore, after the pandemic, a waiting area reserved for parents and their children was established on the ground floor of the Laurier Pavilion at the CRDP Raymond-Dewar. This space plays a key role in facilitating contact and building connections with children and their families.

With this in mind, the Fondation des sourds du Québec and the REA Foundation joined forces to finance the renovation of this waiting area, making it a more welcoming and inclusive space for all disabilities.

“We worked to optimize the space to create a warm and welcoming environment. One wall has been covered with a beautiful mural featuring jungle animals. Additionally, we installed a five-foot-long wall toy that allows multiple children to play at the same time. A reading corner for parents and children has also been set up with a bean bag-style couch and a bookshelf containing a diverse selection of books.

An audiologist from the Hearing Impairment program, specializing in children with severe motor disabilities, also consulted users to understand their needs for this waiting room. Thanks to their suggestions, we decided to add an electronically adjustable drawing table. This way, children in wheelchairs can now adjust the table height with the push of a button and enjoy a space designed for drawing.”

Dominique Wright, Head of the 0-25 Deafness and Stuttering Program at the CRDP Raymond-Dewar

Thanks to this renovation, children now have the space and comfort they need to play, draw, or read while waiting for their appointment.

“Previously, parents often stayed outside and watched their children from the other side of the half-wall in the waiting room. Thanks to this renovation, they are now included in this space and can play with their children. The staff has also confirmed that the children are really enjoying the new waiting room.”

Dominique Wright, Head of the 0-25 Deafness and Stuttering Program at the CRDP Raymond-Dewar

The project is among the nominees at the Célébrons l’excellence gala of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal in the category “Small project with a big benefit for users.”