Updated 01.26.26
About June: June Isaacson Kailes is a Disability Policy Consultant known for practical, field-tested approaches that help health care organizations deliver disability-competent care beyond mere compliance and etiquette. Her work supports clinicians and administrators in closing service gaps, preventing civil rights violations, and operationalizing access through measurable competencies, standard operating procedures, and just-in-time checklists. This page features provider-facing guidance, assessment tools, and resources on physical access, communication access, and medical equipment access.
Learn more: About June, Health Experience, Contact
Asking About and Meeting Accessibility Needs
Competency Planning Checklists for Providing Health Care for People with Disabilities (2016), Word, Checklists:
- practice competency assessment
- setting priorities and tracking progress
- evaluating attitudes
- assessing capacity to provide physical, communication, medical equipment, services, and program access
- care coordination
- evaluating inclusiveness of policies, procedures, and training.
Improving Healthcare Outcomes Through Effective Communication (2024) Contents: Communication Access Tool, 3-part webinar series
Purpose:
1. To increase effective sharing between healthcare providers and patients with disabilities
2. To get and give usable, accessible, and customized communication access information across diverse healthcare settings and systems
3. To help providers obtain and add communication access information to a patient’s health record
Questions to Ask for Identifying Communication and Accommodation Needs (Word) (2016). Many people need access to communication, mobility, and service. It is important to ask people about these needs. Attention to the details is critical when identifying and meeting accommodation needs.
Health Plan Practices in Emergencies and Disasters
Health Plan Member-Focused Emergency Practices Roadmap, (2021), pdf, Slide Deck (10/25/21) [See description under Disasters/Emergencies]
Health Plans – Strengthening Emergency Roles and Partnerships (2020), pdf, Policy Paper covers:
- Expectation Mismatch and Magical Thinking
- Recommendations:
- Care Planning and Care Coordination
- Life-safety Checks
- Emergency Performance Clauses for Contracted Providers and Suppliers
- Member Emergency Communications
- Community Partnerships
- Guidance
Facility and Equipment Access
Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities (2010), U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section. Provides guidance for medical care professionals on the ADA’s requirement to provide accessible health care to individuals with mobility disabilities and includes an overview of general ADA requirements, common questions, and illustrated examples of accessible facilities, examination rooms, and medical equipment.
Exam Room Selection for Accessible Examination Tables & Chairs (Word) (2010), Covers:
- Percentage of accessible examination rooms with exam tables / chairs needed
- Specifications of accessible exam rooms
- Tips for choosing which exam rooms to designate as “accessible”
Health Care (clinic/outpatient) Facilities Access (2008), Word, Covers: basics of physical access for clinicians and medical office staff, removing barriers, path-of-travel, resources for facility surveys, and accessible office fixtures and hardware.
Health Care Rights for People with Disabilities (2015) – Health plans must provide access to health care services, including preventive care and necessary services. California’s Department of Managed Health Care provides this content to help Californians with disabilities understand their rights and get the care they need. Includes:
- Physical Access to Care
- Communication Assistance – Hearing
- Communication Assistance – Hearing-Deaf
- Communication Assistance – Vision
- Keeping Your Doctor – Continuity of Care
- Getting Health Care Benefits and Services
Importance of Accessible Examination Tables & Wheelchair Scales (2010), Word, PDF, Covers:
- Why offices should have height-adjustable examination, treatment tables and chairs, and accessible weight-scales
- Features of accessible examination tables, chairs, and weight-scales
- Improving quality of care for people with disabilities
- Preventing and reducing provider workplace injuries
- Avoiding legal problems
- Tax incentives
Improving Accessibility with Limited Resources (Word) (2008), Covers: barrier removal as a continuing obligation. Ideas and examples of low-cost barrier removal, such as installing portable ramps for access to buildings, lever door handles, a clear 32” path-of-travel, and repositioning a soap and/or paper towel dispenser to be in reach range.
Quality Services for People with Disabilities and Activity Limitations – Health Care Video Series, 2012:
- Who are People with Disabilities and activity limitations, and how does disability increase with age? 14 minutes
- Physical Access 9minutes
- Communication Access 26 minutes
- Medical Equipment Access 11 minutes
- How health care workers’ Attitudes and Beliefs toward people with disabilities can affect the quality of care 37 minutes
Lived Disability Health Care Experience
Health Care Stories Videos (2011) These free, downloadable short videos illustrate the obstacles and barriers that stand in the way of getting health care for many people with disabilities. The videos focus on common and widespread barriers to care and include stories about inaccessible examination tables and weight scales, healthcare provider misperceptions and stereotypes, and recommendations for improving care.