Working with patients with physical disabilities

Medical practices need to make a number of adaptations to ensure that their facilities and staff are accessible to patients and other office visitors with physical disabilities. This article describes 10 specific strategies for preparing your medical practice for patients with disabilities, both inside and outside your office. It describes minimum standards for office doorways, sidewalk inclines, ramps, reception areas, and other adaptations medical offices need to make. The article also describes specific do and don't advice for communicating with patients with physical disabilities. It suggests strategies for preparing written materials for disabled patients, for communicating verbally, and for providing healthcare education. Finally, it suggests an appropriate role for medical practice staff in the delivery of healthcare services to patients with physical disabilities.