The Department of Justice recently proposed rules establishing specific requirements and technical standards for the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment like exam tables, x-ray machines, mammography equipment and weight scales purchased by state and local governments. United Spinal Association urges you to add a comment on the Federal Register site — the more stories our community shares about how accessible medical equipment would impact our healthcare, the more likely it is that the revised regulations will be incorporated into Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires state and local governments’ services, programs and activities to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Because these federal documents are dense with jargon, we asked United Spinal’s VP of government relations, Alexandra Bennewith, for some tips on how to craft a comment. She suggested considering these questions:
• Is it easy for you to get to a medical facility where there is accessible medical equipment, such as accessible exam tables and accessible weight scales?
• Do the medical staff know how to transfer you/assist you with accessing medical equipment?
• Do you have to wait for a long time for your appointment once you have arrived at the medical facility? Do you cancel your appointment and not reschedule? How much time goes by between visits to your medical facility?
• Are you given any instructions on how to use accessible medical diagnostic equipment at home, such as heart rate monitors or glucose monitors?
Click here to comment, then click on the top bubble on the lefthand menu. The comment period ends Feb. 12.
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It’s crazy all the local offices and hospitals that deal with people with spinal cord injuries in my area and none of them have a Hoyer lift. I have to bring my own sling and have people manually transfer me anytime I need to have a procedure or testing done.
Hi, my name is Mike Burns I can totally relate of what you’re saying. I have a muscle disease and also I have a Hoyer lift at home but when I go to my doctors appointments specially Living so close to two hospitals they never seem to have a Hoyer lift the doctors office is the hospital does But sometimes it is a nightmare to try to even get them to go find one in the hospital. Luckily my chair goes up and lays flat so it’s a little bit easier and they pulled me with my sling but I totally understand they need more equipment.👍🙏💪
If incorporated into Title II of the ADA will it apply to any medical facility that receives federal funding?