Accessibility of doctors’ offices, clinics, hospitals and other health care providers is essential in providing medical care to all people with disabilities. Due to barriers, some individuals may not be able to receive routine preventative medical care.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in every day activities, including medical services. The ADA requires that medical care providers make their services available in an accessible way.
The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, has issued a new technical assistance publication titled, “Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities” that provides guidance for medical care professionals about the ADA’s requirement to provide accessible health care to individuals with mobility disabilities.
The guide includes an overview of general ADA requirements, commonly asked questions, and illustrated examples of accessible facilities, examination rooms, and medical equipment needed to provide equal and adequate medical care to those in mobility devices.
This guide in available online on the ADA website.