Accessibility

Parking

Accessible parking spots are available for vehicles with appropriate licensing or windshield placard, including van-accessible spaces. Free valet parking is available at the main (Adele Hall campus) hospital at the Main Circle Drive and the Emergency Room lot.

Valet hours:
Main Circle Drive
Monday–Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Emergency Room lot
Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wheelchairs and Wagons

Adult-size wheelchairs and child-size wagons are available at facility entrances, to assist guests with disabilities and those transporting children. Wagons and wheelchairs are also available by elevators in the parking garage at the main (Adele Hall campus) hospital.

Restrooms

ADA-equipped restrooms are available throughout our facilities, with locations noted on available printed maps and through the Adele Hall Maps & Directions function on the Children’s Mercy App. Specially equipped family accessible restrooms are also available at the main (Adele Hall campus) hospital, Children’s Mercy Kansas, Broadway and the 5520 College Boulevard location. These restrooms provide adult-size, adjustable height changing tables, as well as motion-activated entry and fixtures.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Children’s Mercy locations and can be with their partner in most areas including clinic waiting/exam rooms, inpatient rooms, cafeteria, Gift Shop, etc., as long as the presence of the service animal does not create an unsafe environment. A service animal is a dog (or miniature horse) that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.  Guidelines for bringing a service animal to the hospital include:

• Service animals must be housebroken and use outside grassy areas to relieve themselves.

• Children’s Mercy staff cannot be responsible for feeding, walking, cleaning up after, supervising or providing care for the service animal.

• Service animals must be under the control of the partner/handler or family member/friend at all times and must be harnessed, leashed or tethered while at the hospital.

• Service animals are not allowed in rooms used for surgery or other medical procedures. If the patient must go to an area of the hospital that would be dangerous for the animal, staff, or patients, the service animal can stay with a family member/friend in another area of the hospital.

• Emotional Support Animals, pets that provide comfort but are not trained to fulfill a specific ADA-recognized function, are not permitted.

• Service animals may be excluded when:

  • The animal is out of control (barking, off leash, growling, biting, destructive, etc.)

  • The animal is not yet trained to perform specific tasks (unless a professional trainer is able to accompany the animal at all times)

  • The animal’s partner/family is unable to provide care.

  • The animal is a direct threat to other people’s health or safety.
    
    

Sensory Processing Difficulties

Resources are available at Children’s Mercy to assist individuals with sensory processing difficulties while at the hospital, including:

• Sensory kits and other resources to help with diversion and self-calming are available through the Kreamer Family Resource Center, Guest Services, Child Life, Occupational and Physical Therapy, and Developmental and Behavioral Health.

• Quiet space is available in the hospital chapel, Kreamer Family Resource Center and the Prairie Room, which is located adjacent to the front entrance at the main (Adele Hall campus) hospital.

• Please make your child’s care team aware if your child experiences sensory processing challenges. We have a variety of options available to provide support and remind all staff caring for your child to pause and consider their sensory needs before interacting.
  
  

Communication

A video phone for the Deaf is available in the Kreamer Family Resource Center. UbiDuo communication devices are available through the Language Services Department at the main (Adele Hall campus) hospital and in the Emergency Department at Children’s Mercy Kansas. Children’s Mercy provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as qualified sign language interpreters and written information in other formats.

We are committed to making Children’s Mercy a welcoming place for individuals of all abilities. If you have suggestions or feedback, please call (816) 302-1609 or email accessibility@cmh.edu.