What is video-conferencing?
Video-conferencing is an interactive technology that enables two or more parties at separate locations to communicate with each other by voice and video images simultaneously.
The video-conferencing pilot project will give clients living in remote areas of northwestern Ontario better access to specialized clinical services without having to travel long distances. For example, with this technology, an individual living in Pickle Lake could go to a local satellite office and video communicate with a psychologist through Sioux Lookout and Hudson Association for Community Living, saving the individual or professional a seven-hour round trip.
This innovative project will make better use of existing specialized clinical resources and also help more people get services where and when they need them. It will allow individuals, families, caregivers and professionals to share resources and information, even if they live hundreds of kilometres apart. Improved access to specialized clinical services enables adults with a developmental disability to continue to live in their homes in the community.
A more efficient way of delivering service
Video-conferencing can help address a number of key issues for the developmental services sector, particularly in remote communities. The video-conferencing pilot project will:
• Provide services to more individuals and their families and caregivers within their northwestern communities.
• Reduce the need to travel long distances or outside of the province or country to access specialized clinical services.
• Increase training opportunities for front-line and professional staff in the Northwest by giving service providers a greater opportunity to collaborate and share resources.
The Surrey Place Centre project
This pilot project will add video-conferencing as a method for Surrey Place Centre and its partners to provide specialized clinical services to 46 remote northwestern Ontario communities through their northwestern partners. When fully operational, at least 130 individuals will receive support.
Project partners include Sioux Lookout and Hudson Association for Community Living; Dryden and District Association for Community Living; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Griffin Centre/ George Brown College; Geneva Centre for Autism; the Bob Rumball Associations for the Deaf; and Community Living Toronto.