Our individualised approach
to Accessibility
A genuine commitment to Accessibility
Verified accessibility reports for every property
Custom-built accessibility search filters on our booking platform
In-depth OT assessments support guests' individualised needs
Designed with Accessibility in mind
MediStays is the accommodation booking platform designed specifically for Australians navigating accommodation for a health or disability related stay.
Country patients, people leaving hospital and participants of the NDIS trust MediStays to find the most appropriate accommodation for their needs.
Until MediStays, Australians mostly relied on holiday accommodation websites or undertook their own time-consuming assessments to find the right accommodation for their needs.
Finding out about important features like wheelchair accessibility and co-ordinating assistive technology deliveries was a lengthy process.
Now with MediStays, referrers and guests can simply navigate property features to book accommodation instantly on our website. For complex bookings, NDIS funded and hospital discharge stays, our dedicated Care Navigator team provide a concierge service to achieve a smooth booking process for every stay.
Booking safe and comfortable accommodation is now just a click away.
Experts in Complex Access Needs
Tertiary hospitals and rehabilitation centres across Australia trust MediStays to source safe and comfortable accommodation for patients, families and carers when they need it most.
MediStays have a strong need for all property types close to hospitals. These range from standard accessibility to support patients attending appointments and family members staying nearby, through to specialised construction to support high accessibility needs of people leaving hospital.
The common thread across all properties is MediStays ability to provide trusted, verified reports for all accessibility levels.
Features for Physical Accessibility
MediStays supports a wide range of guests, with access needs ranging from standard to fully-independent wheelchair access.
Some guests are permanent wheelchair users, while others are using a wheelchair for a short time after an operation or medical procedure.
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
We have accessibility processes in place for hospital discharge requirements. This involves liasing with the referrer and their multidisciplinary team.
Using these criteria, we recommend the most suitable properties – such as MediStays Access 3 fully wheelchair accessible properties.
Once the booking is confirmed, the property is prepared for arrival. This includes assistive technology deliveries such as a hi-lo bed and mattress, hoist, commode and/or shower trolley.
Following guest arrival, MediStays is the central contact for all parties. This ensures accommodation support for the guest and carers during their stay.
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
The accommodation needs of MediStays community are broad.
We have a high need for all property types close to hospitals. These properties support patients attending appointments and family members staying nearby.
In addition, we have a high need for self-contained apartment style properties with wheelchair accessibility for guests discharged from hospital and requiring palliative care. The location needs for these properties are broad and not limited to hospital precincts.
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
While some guests do require fully wheelchair accessible features, many MediStays guests simply require a walk-in shower.
Whether guests are elderly, frail, or have just undergone an operation, walk-in showers are the perfect option for many MediStays guests.
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
MediStays provides Short Term Accommodation (STA) for Participants of the NDIS, working with individuals to find the right solution for their situation.
We offer flexible options for participants either looking for a respite stay, or trialling possibilities for more independent living.
If a guest has limited mobility or needs fully wheelchair accessible accommodation, we have a range of STA eligible accommodation options to suit.
All properties are legally required to allow service animals, and we can also offer pet-friendly options for therapy and companion pets.
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
Frequently booked wheelchair accessible accommodation
Our Commitment to You
How do accessibility features support safe accommodation?
Accessibility can be defined as the practice of designing products and services so that they can be used by everyone.
Consideration
Considerations include access for physical (e.g. for guests using a walker or wheelchair), visual (e.g. colour blindness), auditory (e.g. difficulty hearing) and sensory (e.g. dimmable lighting).
Accuracy
Our team recommend accommodation based on the exact specifications in our verified reports. Accurate and verified accessibility information is essential for MediStays staff and guests.
Trust
Our guests and referrers rely on the provision of accurate, verified information. We take this trust seriously, as accurate information ensures a safe stay for guests.
MediStays Access Criteria
We understand that every guest's needs are individualised.
MediStays provides a wide variety of accommodation types and locations to suit. The important piece of information for our Care Navigators is understanding a property’s features. Once we understand each property’s features, we accurately match guests with the best property for their individual needs.
Access 1
Often for frail and elderly guests, especially following a hospital discharge.
Includes:
- Easy access to support guests using a walker or with limited mobility
- Step free property
- Walk-in shower
Access 2
Generally for someone with access needs and staying independently.
Includes:
- Fully wheelchair accessible design
- Everything is accessible for independent daily living
- Includes a lowered kitchen
Access 3
Designed to be fully wheelchair accessible while also staying with carers.
Includes:
- Fully wheelchair accessible design
- Bathrooms must be fully accessible for use by the guest.
- Standard design kitchen and laundry
(daily living is managed by carers and support staff)
Standard Access
Designed for guests without mobility needs, and overnight supports.
Defined by:
- Entrance to building and/or apartment may be steps-only
- Standard kitchen and bathroom
- Standard shower or ‘shower over bath’ (for young children)
- Door widths or circulation space may not accommodate wheelchairs
Do you need accessible accommodation to receive care?
Our Care Navigators are experts in hospital discharge and NDIS stays.
Short Term Accommodation for participants requiring wheelchair access
What our verified accessibility reports cover
Bathroom accessibility
We categorise our showers into four types, all of which are relevant to our different types of guest stays.
Our shower access levels are:
- Roll-in shower –
Spacious roll-in room with no shower screen
- Hospital standard roll-in bathroom
- Flexible, hand-held shower
- Grab rails
- Suitable for wheelchair and hoist
- Walk-in shower –
Shower integrated with floor tiles
- No lip or separate shower base
- Spacious circulation space
- Suitable for walkers and shower chairs
- Fixed or flexible shower head
- Standard shower –
Shower with a raised lip or base
- Guests must be able to stand unaided
- Often suitable for post-surgery
- Shower over bath –
Shower is integrated in bath
- Guest can navigate into bath and stand independently
- Mainly requested for young children.
You can learn more about our approach to accessible bathrooms here.
Our assessment criteria includes:
- Visual contrasting toilet seat (for visual accessibility)
- Grab rails
- Toilet paper is reachable
- Back rest
- Distance from side of toilet
to wall
Please note, some guests may use a commode over the toilet for support. In these cases, features like a back rest are not required.
You can learn more about our approach to accessible bathrooms here.
Access features we look at in a bathroom vanity include:
- Height adjusted bathroom vanity
- Roll-under bathroom
vanity - Lowered mirror behind
vanity
You can learn more about our approach to accessible bathrooms here.
Generous circulation space is important in accessible bathrooms. It allows enough space for the wheelchair to move freely, and when carers assist with daily care needs.
Wheelchair-accessible bathroom criteria considers:
- Wheel-in access and manoeuverability
- Ergonomically placed handrails
- Circulation space for carers and support people to assist
- Height-adjusted vanities
- Door width(s)
You can learn more about our approach to accessible bathrooms here.
MediStays is adaptable in the choices we offer. We can organise for assistive equipment to be delivered and set up at the property before guests arrive.
For bathrooms, shower/toilet chairs are ready to go at most accommodation options (on request). Specialist equipment like hoists can also be arranged (when required).
You can learn more about how we support additional assistive equipment requirements here.
General accessibility
We assess features for ease of movement throughout the property.
Entering the property:
- Low or no threshold entrance to property (for a wheelchair to roll across)
- Completely stair/step free:
- For steps to property entrance, first and last step are marked different colours
- Ramp to property entrance:
- Contrast marking at start and end of ramp
- Unit accessible via elevator/lift
- Where check-in is located at property
- 24 hour reception options
- If advance notice is required for after-hours check-in
Movement between spaces:
- Balcony access ramp
- Handrails in hallways
- Handrails in stairways
- Availability of connecting rooms
Other property access supports:
- Entrance door automatic push plate (max height 1.2m)
- Braille/tactile signage in public areas
- Hearing loop at reception (with sign)
Door widths are also measured for every door, including:
- Main door width
- Bedroom door width
- Bathroom door width
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
- Vibrating wake-up/fire alarm available for loan
- Opening windows
- Onsite property manager
- Telephone
- Onsite support workers or nursing staff
- Onsite property manager
- Housekeeping service available
- Medical waste collection available
Parking:
- Car-parking onsite for guests
- Car-parking onsite for visiting support and nursing staff
- Accessible car-parking with a wheelchair symbol
- Parking height restrictions – this is checked to assist patients from remote and regional areas who often have large 4WD vehicles that can exceed the height restrictions.
Additional Transport Services:
- Airport transfer service
- Hospital shuttle service
Bedroom accessibility
Generous circulation space is important in accessible bedrooms. It allows enough space for the wheelchair to access all amenities comfortably, and for carers to assist with daily care needs.
Wheelchair-accessible bathroom criteria considers:
- Wheel-in access and manoeuverability
- Ergonomically placed handrails
- Circulation space for carers and support staff to assist
- Door width(s)
- Height capacity for gantry hoists
You can read about our Access criteria here.
These are the bed-related measurements included in our Accessibility Verification reports:
- Bed height – floor to top of
mattress (cm) - Distance from side of bed
to wall (cm) - Distance from floor to
underside of bed (for hoist
to slide under)
Other bedding considerations include:
- Hypo-allergenic
bedding - Infant bed
- Rollaway and sofa beds
You can read about our Access Criteria here.
MediStays is adaptable in the choices we offer. We can organise for assistive equipment to be delivered and set up at the property before our guests arrive.
For bedrooms, options includes a specialised bed and mattress, and a hoist (ceiling, mobile or gantry, where required).
You learn more about how we support additional assistive equipment requirements here.
We assess accessibility to helpful amenities in the bedroom for a comfortable stay, including:
- Power point near bed
- Storage options for belongings
- Height adjusted rails in wardrobe
- Alarm clock
Additional bedroom features we assess for include:
- Emergency pull cord/duress button
- Large switches (for light and power)
- Flooring type
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Soundproof room
- In-room entertainment for limited mobility
Kitchen and living area accessibility
For many guests using wheelchairs, it is important to have an accessible kitchen (especially those staying independently).
Our main assessment for this is whether the kitchen(ette) is height-adjusted.
The key thing we want to know is: could a wheelchair user staying alone cook in this kitchen?
It’s very important that all of our guests have access during their stay to nutritious and enjoyable food for every meal.
This is especially important when a guest is feeling unwell, has just been through surgery or treatment, or has limited mobility.
We verify kitchen amenities such as:
- Kitchen or kitchenette
- Cookware (incl. dishes & utensils)
- Dishwasher
- Electric kettle
- Espresso maker
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stovetop
- Tea/coffee making facilities
We also assess the property’s options for food and meal provisions, as well as make recommendations for meal delivery services options from MediStays’ partners.
Our property verification process includes grocery and pantry services.
Guests may have limited mobility or be feeling unwell during their stay.
It is important for us to understand the entertainment options within their unit to ensure comfort and enjoyment.
We assess for:
- Wifi provision
- Television
- Streaming services
- Premium/Cable
- TV Channels
- Pay per view movies
- DVD player
However, our guests occasionally enquire if they can bring other animals, including therapy pets and ‘best friends’.
We verify the property’s policies on:
- Therapy pets
- All pets
- Dogs up to 10kg
How we measure door widths
