Accessible Medical Equipment

To raise awareness about disability barriers and increase accessibility of primary health care to people with

disabilities, the Illinois Department of Public Health Disability and Health Program, funded through a cooperative

agreement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Birth Defects and

Developmental Disabilities, collaborated with statewide disability advocacy organizations to develop a health

care facility exam room and medical equipment accessibility survey. Several statewide health care professional

organizations assisted to disseminate it. The Illinois Department of Public Health Disability and Health Program

and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 require that policies, practices and

procedures be reasonably modified or, where necessary, created, to ensure a provider’s staff knows how to

make available and properly use the accessible equipment unless the provider can demonstrate such

modification or creation of a new policy will fundamentally alter the nature of the services. (Department of

Justice, Americans with Disabilities Act Title III, C.F.R.

§28 36.302, September 15, 2010)

The article below is the third in a series providing recommendations on how to increase accessibility of exam

rooms and medical equipment. The following information is an excerpt from the U.S. Department of Justice

document, “Americans with Disabilities Act Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities, Part

ailability of accessible medical equipment is an important part of

providing accessible medical care, and doctors and other providers

must ensure that medical equipment is not a barrier to individuals

with disabilities. This section provides examples of accessible

medical equipment and how it is used by people with mobility

disabilities. Such equipment includes adjustable-height exam tables

and chairs, wheelchair-accessible scales, adjustable-height

radiologic equipment, portable floor and overhead track lifts, and

gurneys and stretchers.

to a person with a disability. To provide an accessible gynecological

exam to women with paralysis or other conditions that make it

difficult or impossible for them to move or support their legs, the

provider may need an accessible height exam table with adjustable,

padded leg supports, instead of typical stirrups. However, if the

population is necessary to determine the equipment needed to

provide accessible medical care.

Exam Tables and Chairs

Traditional fixed-height exam tables and chairs (also called

treatment tables or procedure tables) are too high for many

people with a mobility disability to use. Individuals with mobility

disabilities often need to use an adjustable-height table which,

own by standing up from a mobility device, pivoting, and sitting

to the exam table and sit down, while others with limited

mobility may walk more slowly and need a steadying arm or

hand to help with balance and sitting down. Some people using

wheelchairs may be able to independently transfer to the table

or chair, while others will need assistance from a staff member.

Transfers may also require use of equipment, such as a transfer

board or patient lift.

Once a patient has transferred, staff should ask if assistance is needed -- some patients may need staff to stay

and help undress or stabilize them on the table. Never leave the patient unattended unless the patient says

they do not need assistance.

Different types of exam tables are used for different purposes. Some exam tables fold into a chair-like position;

others remain flat. Either type can be used by people with disabilities with the right accessible features and

table accessories. Pillows, rolled up towels, or foam wedges may be needed to stabilize and position the patient

on the table. Tilt, adjustability, and headrests, footrests, and armrests may make the examination more