Another healthcare issue for persons with disabilities is
physical access.
Physical access goes beyond ramps and elevators. It includes restrooms, exam rooms and any
other room or space that is ordinarily accessed by patients.
There are standards for all accessible bathrooms put out
by the Federal Access Board.
More recently, this same Federal Access Board has
published guidelines for accessible healthcare facilities. These guidelines include adequate space
between and in exam rooms, accessible exam tables, lifts, scales and other equipment. Almost no healthcare facilities meet these
guidelines.
Primary care providers are the ones who see persons with
disabilities the most, since they are in charge of coordinating all the other
care. Yet, these very same providers are
paid the least and so are least able to afford the equipment needed by persons
with disabilities. This puts all of us
who need this type of equipment at a disadvantage.
This is one more reason that this country needs to
address the issues related to primary care.
No healthcare system, managed care, fee-for-service, or any other
configuration, will work until we can provide stable, quality, accessible
primary care.
Annette Bourbonniere
401-846-1960
Fax: 401-846-1944
Twitter: @AccessInclude
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