Chapter 7 Federal Statutes and Regulations That Impact Healthcare 127 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. ADA mandates, in part, that all healthcare facilities are accessible to people with disabil- ities (Figure 7.7). This requirement includes offices that specialize in mental health, vision, dental, or alternative care. Accessibility applies to both physical and communication access. Healthcare facilities should address physi- cal access issues such as the following: · having accessible paths into and through the facility · wide and easy-to-open doors · accessible examination and/or treatment rooms and equipment · appropriate reach ranges · accessible restrooms and dressing areas A facility’s physical structure should not prevent access to areas such as waiting rooms, lobbies, doorways, and restrooms. Ramps or elevators should be offered as alternatives to stairs, and doorways, waiting rooms, and lob- bies should be spacious enough to accommo- date wheelchairs. Providers should ensure safe access to scales, exam tables, and chairs. Patients cannot be charged for the inclusion of any required services or devices. Communication access includes auxil- iary aids, services, and other types of program access. Healthcare providers must ensure that they can effectively communicate with people who have a range of disabilities. Examples of such disabilities include people who have hearing or seeing difficulties, speech difficulties, or learning disabilities. Healthcare professionals may use a variety of auxiliary aids and services to help facilitate communi- cation, such as a service that provides sign language interpreters or tele- phone interpretation service centers. People with disabilities should have access to the same goods and services as people without disabilities. If this is not possible, healthcare providers should modify their policies or procedures. For example, healthcare providers should make an exception to a “no pets allowed” policy for patients with service animals. Additionally, staff should provide assistance whenever needed, such as helping to open doors. If accommodations cannot be made, provider should refer patients to providers who do offer accessibility. Healthcare facilities should include signs to help people with dis- abilities. Figure 7.8 includes the symbols required for use by the ADA regulations. Jeroen van den Broek/Shutterstock.com Figure 7.7 To make their facilities accessible to everyone, hospitals may need to waive a “no pets” policy to allow service animals in with people who have certain disabilities.