As per law, medical professionals must offer full access to medical services without discrimination on the basis of disability. Understanding your rights can help you get the care you need.
People with disabilities face barriers in every aspect of their lives. Unequal or inadequate access to medical care is a significant obstacle. It can affect the physical and mental health of those with disabilities.
- inability to access medical facilities (lack of ramps, elevators, and automatic doors or hallways that cannot accommodate mobility aids)
- lack of specialized training or knowledge among medical professionals about different disabilities
- dismissal of symptoms due to not fully understanding disability-related health concerns
- ineffective, inadequate, or unclear communication with people who may be deaf or hard of hearing, or who have a speech, vision, or intellectual disability
- lack of patience or adaptability during medical interactions
- not scheduling sufficient time for the appointment
- inaccessible medical equipment (such as exam tables and diagnostic equipment)
- limited travel options to and from the medical facilities
- higher poverty rates among people with disabilities
- health barriers resulting in less favorable outcomes in those with disabilities
These barriers can result in higher preventable health issues for people with disabilities than those without them. Reduced access to quality medical care can lead to
- bowel or bladder issues
- fatigue
- pain
- injury
- depression
- overweight and obesity
- pressure sores and ulcers
To reduce barriers to medical care, the federal government has established laws for people with disabilities that guarantee their rights to equal and accessible medical care.
This article reviews these laws and provides tips for getting the care you need at your next medical appointment.
Federal Civil Rights laws guarantee full and equal access to healthcare for people with disabilities. The primary federal laws that protect a person’s rights are included in the:
Together, these laws require that public and private medical entities provide the following to people with disabilities:
- Full and equal access to healthcare services and facilities
- Reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to ensure accessibility to medical services
- Effective communication, including auxiliary aids and services, such as providing sign language interpreters or written materials in alternative and accessible formats.
Public and private medical entities include doctors’ offices, clinics, dental offices, psychologists, nursing homes, pharmacies, hospitals, health plans, insurance companies, and government programs that pay for healthcare.
Understanding your rights
Here’s how these laws translate to the medical care you can expect (and deserve) to receive. Your healthcare professional:
- cannot deny you medical care or services due to inaccessible buildings, exam rooms, or equipment.
- should give you information in an accessible format (e.g., sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or materials in large print or braille)
- may offer certain services through virtual visits
- must allow a service animal into the waiting areas or exam rooms
- cannot refuse to serve you or make you wait longer because of your disability
- cannot require you to bring a friend, family member, or assistant to help with interpreting, or accessing medical equipment (they can come if they want to)
- cannot charge you extra fees for interpreters or braille transcription
- cannot deny you access to services covered under state-specific Medicaid waivers
Working closely with your healthcare professional before, during, and after your medical appointment can go a long way toward getting the medical care you need. Here are some practical recommendations.
Scheduling your appointment
When you call to schedule your appointment, let the receptionist know about your needs as a person with a disability and what accommodations you may require.
Here are some questions to ask to better prepare you and your doctor for your appointment.
Questions to ask when scheduling your appointment
- What should I expect during my appointment (for example, a physical exam, questions about my medical history, a blood draw, etc)?
- Can I schedule extra time for my appointment?
- Can someone in your office provide specific assistance, such as helping me move to an exam table?
- How will I access your building, office, bathrooms, and medical equipment, such as weight scales?
- What forms will I need to fill out, and can I fill them out before my appointment?
- Will the doctor provide a summary of my visit in a form I can access, or do I need to bring a recording device to my appointment? Will a physician’s assistant be available to take notes?
- What options are available for your travel and parking at your facility?
- Is there someone available to assist me when I arrive at your facility?
Appointment preparation
Preparing in advance for your appointment is extremely helpful. Here are some pre-appointment preparation tips that can help:
Medical appointment prep work
- Write down or record the health questions or concerns you want to discuss with your doctor.
- Collect your family and medical history in a folder to share with your doctor.
- Bring your insurance card, a list of any medications you may be taking (and their dosage), and the contact information for your pharmacy of choice.
- Bring a notebook or recording device, or ask a family member or friend to accompany you to take notes.
- Review your travel plans. Make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to get to your appointment.
During your appointment
Even with all your preparation, things may still not go according to plan.
If you are taking public transport, the bus you were counting on might be full or unexpectedly late. Or the receptionist you talked to when making your appointment did not record your needs as a person with a disability.
When unexpected problems arise, relax, take a deep breath, and remember to advocate for yourself. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind on the day of your appointment.
Advocating for yourself during an appointment
- When you arrive at the medical facility, remind the receptionist or medical staff of the assistance or accommodations you requested when you made your appointment.
- Ask for any kind of reasonable aid you may need.
- If a staff member asks you to do something that’s difficult for you (such as step onto a scale), tell them you will need assistance.
- Tell your doctor why you are here and ask the questions or discuss any concerns you have.
- Be direct, honest, and specific when answering questions the doctor may have for you.
- It may be helpful to repeat back, in your own words, what the doctor tells you to ensure that you understand everything correctly.
- Write down or record any new information, doctor recommendations, recommended medications and dosage, or next steps. Remember, you can ask a support person, such as a physician’s assistant, to take notes.
- If you need a follow-up appointment, make the appointment with the front desk before leaving the facility. If you keep a day calendar, it might be a good idea to bring this to your appointment.
Not all doctors are knowledgeable about specific disabilities. To find a medical professional who is experienced in treating people with disabilities similar to yours, use online directories, advocacy groups, and patient reviews or referrals.
Look for professionals who:
- have experience treating individuals with disabilities
- work in medical facilities that are easily accessible and provide extra accommodations as you need them
- demonstrate patience, understanding, and empathy in their care for you
If you experience difficulties during a medical appointment, such as being asked to wait for an extended time or being told that the accommodations you requested prior to your appointment are not available, try talking with your doctor or healthcare staff directly.
Here are some steps you might take.
How to handle obstacles at your medical appointment
- Communicate clearly and directly: Explain what you need them to address and what accommodations you need (such as an accessible exam table or communication assistance).
- Document the issue: Record the date, time, and nature of the issue, and why the issue was not resolved.
- Contact the facility’s ADA coordinator: If the medical facility you’re visiting has an ADA coordinator, contact them for assistance.
- Reach out to a disability rights organization: If the facility does not have an ADA coordinator, you can contact a disability rights organization such as the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) at 1-800-840-8844. They can recommend solutions or direct you to an ADA advocate.
Yes. The ADA, Section 504, Section 1557, and state law allow a service animal to accompany a person with a disability to areas such as patient waiting rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms.
However, certain areas, such as an operating room or a burn unit, may exclude service animals where the sterility of the environment could be compromised.
Under the ADA and Section 1557 of the ACA, public and private medical professionals must provide effective communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing using auxiliary aids and services.
Auxiliary aids and services include equipment or services such as:
- qualified sign-language interpreters
- assistive listening devices
- note takers
- written materials
- television decoders
- closed caption decoders
- real-time captioning
Examples of discrimination might include:
- requiring you to wait longer for an exam because there is only one disability-accessible room
- requiring you to bring another person to a doctor’s office to help with lifting, understanding, or interpreting (unless they have chosen to do so)
- refusing to provide medical services to you because the exam will take longer than planned due to your disability
- charging an extra fee for a sign language interpreter or other communication aide
- providing limited appointment dates or times due to your disability
- refusing to provide effective communication assistance such as a person’s files in an alternate format or a sign-language interpreter
- Refusing to provide a requested treatment based on quality-of-life assumptions. For example, refusing to provide cancer treatment for a child with severe intellectual disability based on the assumption that the child has a low quality of life
- Pressure to consent to a do not resuscitate (DNR) order or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment based on the assumption that people with certain disabilities should not try to extend their life
Who to contact if you need help or have questions about your disability rights
The American Association of People with Disabilities
https://www.aapd.com/
1-800-840-8844
Disability Rights and Resources
https://disability-rights.org/
704-537-0550
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund
www.dredf.org
510-644-2555
Medical care should be accessible and equal to everyone, regardless of their disability.
You can better manage your healthcare journey by staying informed about your rights and finding professionals who care about and prioritize accessibility.
Organizations that advocate for disability rights can help you receive the medical care and treatment opportunities you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you are experiencing barriers to healthcare.