Accessibility at my Toronto Naturopathic Clinic

Creating an accessible physical space is important to me.

This detailed accessibility guide it intended to help you decide whether coming in-person to my office space will work for you.

If in-person appointments aren’t an option, virtual appointments are always available.

Physical Accessibility

Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Accessibility

60 St Clair Avenue East has barrier-free access via a ramp at the far right of the building entrance. There is an accessible door to the lobby to the right of the main doors, with a push-button door opener.

Access to the 8th floor is via elevator.

The door to Ember and Spark is 34.5 inches wide and not automated. If you would like to bring a mobility device into the unit, simply knock and I will happily get the door for you. Please feel free to let me know ahead of time if this will be needed so I can get to you quickly.

The door to my treatment room is 34.5 inches wide. The treatment room itself has plenty of space to bring a mobility aid, and wheelchair users are welcome to remain in your chair during the appointment.

Furniture and Size Accessibility

My exam table is adjustable in height, but not during the appointment. It is generally set low for easy transfers. I am not able to assist in transfers to the treatment table for folks who are unable to do so independently. The exam table has a weight limit of over 1000 lbs. The width of the table is 28.5 inches, and I have an optional table extender that can add 10 additional inches of width at the level of the arms.

The patient chair in my room is very sturdy, padded, and without armrests.

Accessible Washroom

There is a fully accessible, all-gender washroom shared by all units on the 8th floor, located immediately next to our unit. It requires a key card to enter, which I can provide on request. It has a push-button door opener.

Gender-separated stalled washrooms are also available on our floor. Two heavy doors must be opened to access them, including one with an unusually high doorknob. On weekdays, these can be accessed freely, but a key card is required to use these on weekends.

Indoor Air Quality and COVID-19 Precautions

Shared Spaces

In order to access Ember and Spark, you must pass through a lobby, elevator, and hallway shared by the 10-floor office building where the clinic is located. On weekdays, the lobby and elevators can be crowded. On weekends, most of the businesses in the building are closed, and traffic is extremely low.

There are no masking or illness policies for these areas.

There are no acute care health clinics in the building.

Within the Ember and Spark Health unit, there is a spacious waiting room and three treatment rooms. Up to three practitioners and their patients (including me and you) may be present in the unit at any given time. I am usually the only practitioner who occupies the space on Sundays.

All practitioners in this space operate independently, so although they have their own illness and masking policies, I cannot guarantee that these are followed or enforced. Typically, other practitioners and patients in the space do not wear masks.

Ventilation

Ventilation in the unit is via a central forced air system that cannot be turned off. The windows do not open. I have a HEPA filter running in my office close to the desk before, during, and between all in-person appointments. A 15 minute buffer between all appointments ensures time for air turnover between in-person patients. The door to my office has a seal for soundproofing that also reduces air exchange with the waiting room.

Illness and Masking Policies

To help maintain a healthy and accessible environment for everyone, I ask that you do not attend your appointment in person if you have a fever, acute respiratory symptoms (including cough, sore throat, or sneezing), or have had recent close contact with someone who has an acute respiratory infection. If this happens, please let me know as soon as possible and we will switch your appointment to a virtual visit whenever appropriate.

If you are not wearing a mask, I will ask a few brief screening questions at the start of your visit. Depending on your symptoms or recent exposures, I may provide a surgical mask for you to wear, and/or continue wearing mine throughout the appointment.

I begin every in-person appointment wearing a (K)N95 mask. I may offer to remove my mask depending on my personal risk assessment, but reserve the right to continue wearing it throughout the appointment. I never remove my mask without consent from you.

If me masking is an accessibility issue for you, e.g. if you rely on lip reading, please let me know in advance.

If I have any acute upper respiratory symptoms, or contact with someone who has an acute upper respiratory infection or who tests positive for COVID-19, I switch all in-person appointments to virtual until symptoms completely resolve and/or I am able to confirm negative COVID-19 status with 2-3 consecutive negative rapid tests 48 hours apart.

Neurodivergent and Sensory Accessibility

Lighting

The waiting room has overhead fluorescent lighting. My office space does not have any overhead lighting. Natural light from the window can be adjusted with two layers of curtains. Two lamps can be turned on or off to adjust lighting. The combined light from the lamps is dimmer than typical overhead lighting. Folks with nyctalopia may have difficulty seeing.

Scents

Ember and Spark is a low-scent space, but not completely scent-free. Occasionally, essential oils are used during treatments in my office, by a different practitioner. I do not wear perfume or scented hair products at work, but usually wear lightly scented deodorant. I am happy to use completely unscented personal care products on request.

Stimming

I encourage stimming, moving around, sitting or lying in different positions, bringing sensory management tools, or any other strategies to manage your energy, focus, or sensory experience, as long as it does not disturb other patients in the waiting room or neighbouring treatment rooms. A small selection of fidget toys is available for your use during appointments.

Support People and Service Animals

Bringing a support person is welcomed!

Service animals are of course also welcome. The treatment room is vacuumed after an appointment with a service animal.

To learn more about how I accommodate different neurotypes in my appointments and treatment plans, virtual and in-person, see my page on neuroaffirming care.

Communication Accessibility

Typically, appointments with me are conducted verbally, with written treatment plans made available after each appointment. If you need an alternate communication method, please let me know and we will work together to ensure we are able to communicate effectively.

Intake forms, appointment information, receipts, test results, and treatment plans are all provided digitally. If you need an alternate method of receiving documentation, please let me know in advance so we can determine whether an alternate method is possible.

Virtual Appointments Across Ontario

If coming to my Toronto office isn't accessible for you, virtual appointments are available to Ontario residents. Virtual care can also be a good option if you are COVID-cautious, have fluctuating mobility or energy, or simply feel more comfortable receiving care from home.

Access and COVID Safety FAQ

If your Toronto naturopathic clinic wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The building has a ramp and elevator access, Ember & Spark has a wide but non-automated entrance, and the treatment room has space for mobility aids, including under-desk clearance if you’d like to stay in your chair during the appointment.

Do you have an accessible washroom?

Yes. An accessible, all-gender washroom is located immediately beside Ember & Spark’s unit on the 8th floor and has a push-button door opener.

Do you offer COVID-conscious or COVID-aware appointments?

Yes. I wear a (K)N95 mask during in-person appointments, run a HEPA filter continuously in my office, maintain a buffer between appointments, and ask people with acute respiratory symptoms to switch to virtual care. However, the building and shared waiting room do not have a universal masking requirement.

As a practitioner who treats long COVID, I’m highly aware of the risks associated with COVID-19 infections and I will never judge or pathologize the choices you make to protect yourself and your community from airborne infections. I often talk to my patients about challenges regarding risk management, navigating relationships, and the stress and frustration that often comes with being COVID aware in this day and age.

Do I have to wear a mask during my appointments?

No, masking is not required most of the time. However, if you have a cough, sneeze, or sore throat, even if you don’t think you’re acutely sick, you may be asked to wear a mask.

I may wear a mask during your appointments.

Do you accommodate autistic and ADHD patients?

Yes. My practice is neurodiversity affirming, and patients are welcome to request sensory, communication, movement, and information-processing accommodations without needing a formal diagnosis. Naturopathic medicine is predominantly lifestyle-based, so capacity to make lifestyle changes is important for effective care.

Last updated August 31, 2026