Accessibility Resources for Health Care Providers and Staff

Go to the Google Doc version of this resource

This resource was created in March 2026 by the Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) and Women Enabled International (WEI) and is intended to collect resources for health care providers, including abortion and reproductive health care providers, seeking to make their care more accessible to people with disabilities.

Nothing in this resource should be substituted for medical or legal advice.

General information on physical accessibility for patients with mobility disabilities

• Advancing Disability Inclusive Healthcare Training Modules | University of Illinois, Chicago – training modules for healthcare professionals aimed at advancing the understanding of disability in healthcare and preparing a disability-inclusive healthcare workforce.
• Access to Medical Care for People with Mobility Disabilities | ADA.gov – U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) guide to facility accessibility, accessible medical equipment, and lifting/transferring​

Ensuring compliance with accessible building regulations

• In California, clinics can hire a CASp accessibility specialist​
• In other states, businesses can hire architects to assess ADA compliance ​
• For those interested in assessing the physical accessibility of spaces themselves​, use the DOJ’s Accessibility Checklist

Financial support for improving physical accessibility and obtaining accessible medical equipment

• Small Business Tax Credits for Improving Accessibility: IRS Form 8826​
• Explainer on the Small Business Tax Credit and Form 8826

Consulting for creating specialty clinics for people with disabilities

• The University of Pennsylvania Magee Center (UPMC) provides consulting geared towards starting a specialty center serving people with disabilities.

2024 Requirements for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment (compliance deadline: July 8, 2026)

• Requirements for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Care for Patients with Mobility Disabilities

• Mobility Disability Resource Guide | University of Michigan Medical School – includes training videos on different types of patient transfers
• Written Resources on Accessible Equipment and Safely Lifting and Transferring Patients​ | US DOJ, ADA.gov
• The Pelvic Exam: Multiple Positions for Patient Centered Care | Reproductive Health Access Project – includes illustrations and descriptions of alternative pelvic exam positions
• Table Manners and Beyond: The Gynecologic Exam for Women with Developmental Disabilities and Other Functional Limitations | California Department of Developmental Services – manual for healthcare providers on accessible gynecological care for patients with disabilities (note: occasionally uses out-of-date language).

General Disability Competency and Accessibility Resources

• Disability Education and Training Resources for Providers | University of Michigan Medical School – includes training videos for providers that discuss the needs of patients with different disabilities
• Disability Resources and Accommodations for Providers and Clinic Teams | University of Michigan Medical School – reasonable accommodation resources, protocols, information and tip sheets for providers
• Lessons from the Disability and Abortion Access Survey: Responses and Recommendations | DREDF & WEI – report on the responses from the disability and abortion access survey where disabled people shared their abortion experiences and barriers to care. Includes accompanying recommendations for providers to make their care more accessible
• Accessibility Checklist for Providers (printable version) | DREDF & WEI – non-exhaustive accessibility checklist for providers seeking to make their care more accessible
• Accessible Abortion Provision to People with Disabilities | DREDF & WEI – video training for abortion providers on improving access to abortion for people with disabilities
• Clinician’s Guide to Disability-Informed Care | National Coalition for Sexual Health – resource for clinicians seeking to provide respectful, person-centered physical examinations in sexual and reproductive health settings for patients with disabilities. Includes action steps and sample scripts for before, during, and after a patient’s visit
• Access, Autonomy and Dignity Resource Series | National Partnership for Women and Families, Autistic Self Advocacy Network – series on disability justice and reproductive rights including resources regarding sex-ed, abortion, contraception and the right to parent for disabled people
• Disability/Illness Provider Resources | Chronic Sex – list of resources for providers about the intersection of disability, chronic illness and sexuality

Introductory Resources

• Supported Decision Making in Health Care | National Disability Rights Network – informational page about supported decision-making in health care settings
• Using Supported Decision-Making in Health Care: Frequently Asked Questions for Medical Professionals | National Disability Rights Network – questions and answers regarding integrating SDM into medical practice
• Supported Decision-Making Frequently Asked Questions | ACLU – informational resource about SDM, including a chart that compares SDM and conservatorship
• Supported Decision Making Educational Videos | UC Davis MIND Institute – Video series on SDM

Supported Decision-Making in Practice

• How to Make a Supported Decision-Making Agreement | ACLU – toolkit for creating an SDM agreement with example worksheets
• Quick Reference Supported Decision-Making Guide for Clinicians | CDJR, Cal State East Bay, DREDF, California State Council on Developmental Disabilities – quick reference guide for clinicians using SDM including sections on: Key Steps, Sample Prompts, Bias Checks, EHR Documentation Template and Red Flags
• Making Decisions Together: Clinical Applications of Supported Decision-Making PowerPoint Slides | Dr. Rachel J. Torres, DNP, RN, PHNA-BC – PowerPoint Presentation exploring clinical applications of SDM and comparing SDM to other decision-making models
• Communicate CARE: Guidance for Person Centered Care of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities | Surrey Place – tip-sheet offering guidance to family physicians, nurses, allied health professionals for a person-centred health assessment of adults with I/DD. It provides information on best practices to prepare for appointments, communicate and plan interventions using a person-centred approach to shared decision making.
• Decision Making in Health Care of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Promoting Capabilities | Surrey Place – tool for healthcare providers who assess legal capacity of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)

Introduction to Web Accessibility | WebAIM

Guidance on Website Accessibility​​ | DOJ, ADA.gov

How to Meet WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference | World Wide Web Consortium

Web Accessibility During Website Repairs​​ | World Wide Web Consortium

A Guide to Making Easy Read Resources | Autistic Self Advocacy Network

ASAN Says No Generative AI in Plain Language | Autistic Self Advocacy Network

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the disability rights movement and the context of reproductive rights and justice for disabled people in the United States, explore these resources:

• Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution – A documentary about the early history of the disability rights movement and the sit-ins leading to the passage of the Section 504 regulations
• Change Not Charity: The Americans With Disabilities Act – A documentary about the passage of the ADA
• How Activists Fought for Rights for People With Disabilities, and Made Them the Law – A short film on the passage of the ADA
• Disability Reproductive Justice – law article by Disability Justice legal scholar Robyn Powell detailing the history of reproductive oppression of disabled people in the United States, contemporary forms of reproductive oppression, and mapping the core tenets of disability reproductive justice
• Access, Autonomy and Dignity – resource series on reproductive rights and disability justice that discusses abortion, contraception, comprehensive sex-ed, and the right to parent for people with disabilities
• Disability Visibility Project – Online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture

If you have questions about this resource, please contact info@dredf.org.