Making Medical Devices More Accessible
Pictured: X-Ray Machine
by HELEN Editorial Board
Last month, the Justice Department published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) outlining its proposed regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) for the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment (MDE).
But what exactly does that mean, and why is it important? Here’s a primer on Title II, the ADA, and the regulation-making process from the ADA’s Fact Sheet on the notice.
What’s Title II?
Title II of the American with Disabilities Act requires state and local governments’ services, programs, and activities to be accessible to people with disabilities.
What’s a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking?
Think of it as a rough draft of a new government regulation. Agencies share notices with the public to let them know what they’re working on and to give them a chance to share feedback.
Pictured: X-Ray of mouth
What is considered medical diagnostic equipment?
Any equipment used by health care providers for diagnostic purposes. They include:
examination tables;
examination chairs (including chairs used for eye examinations or procedures, and dental examinations or procedures);
weight scales;
mammography equipment; and
x-ray machines.
How will this help people with disabilities?
Inaccessible MDE is a huge barrier for people with disabilities. Most medical exams start with a weigh-in, yet most weight scales don’t accommodate wheelchairs. Many exam tables aren’t height adjustable. And mammography machines require patients to stand. All these and more inaccessible MDE exclude individuals with disabilities from basic health services. And that contributes to poor health outcomes. The proposed ruling helps address this disparity.
Medical care has greatly benefitted from the creation and application of MDE. Unfortunately many of these game-changing devices are not applicable to everyone. This legislation fortifies the need for patients with disabilities to receive the same benefits from this equipment that everyone is entitled to. HELEN applauds this initiative."
—Dr. Rick Rader, Editor-in-Chief
We sure do.
Have more questions? Get all the answers in the Fact Sheet.