The accessibility of medical facilities is essential to providing healthcare to people with disabilities. The Office of Disability Services is the University's office designated to determine reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. This office works to ensure that programs, services, and the campus are accessible in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the ADA Amendments Act. No person on the basis of race, color, nationality, disability, age, religion or sex may be excluded from participating in the services, programs and jobs provided by Charlotte Douglas International Airport and its hiring agencies, nor will they be denied benefits or be discriminated against in connection with the services, programs and jobs provided by Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Section 504 establishes the rights of people with disabilities in programs and activities funded by HUD.
These features allow the patient to enter the exam room, move around the room, and use the accessible equipment provided. The number of exam rooms with accessible equipment needed by the healthcare provider depends on the size of the office, the patient population, and other factors. The health care provider must be able to provide services in an accessible manner to people with disabilities. Understanding what assistance, if any, is needed and how to provide it will go a long way in providing safe and accessible health care for people with mobility disabilities. The right solution or solutions for providing accessible healthcare depend on the existing equipment, the space available in both the exam room and for equipment storage, the size of the office and staff, and the patient population.
However, a patient with a disability, like other people, can only attend one appointment, and the provider must provide reasonable assistance so that the person can receive medical care. To help patients move properly and safely, medical staff will likely need training on how to operate equipment and on techniques for safe patient management. If the exam does not require the person to lie down (for example, a face exam), the exam table is not important for medical care and the patient can remain seated. It is up to the patient to decide if a companion remains in the room during the exam or conversation with the patient. This guide, when applied and adapted to the specific needs and circumstances of individual healthcare providers, can help ensure that people with mobility disabilities have the same opportunities to receive accessible health care services. Whenever new equipment is received to provide accessible care, staff should be immediately trained on its proper use and maintenance. In these cases, the use of a patient elevator or other transfer and positioning technique is particularly important to access this equipment.
In addition, when preparing to help a patient with a disability, it's always best to ask them if they need help and how best to help them. Patients may need a staff member to support them with pillows, rolled-up towels, wedges or fasteners. If unsure how to handle something it's absolutely okay to ask what works best. If a patient with a disability has made an appointment in advance staff should reserve an exam room with accessible examination table for that patient's appointment. This way they can receive medical care without any additional obstacles.
