36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble

Components (M303.4)

M303.4 would require the components of diagnostic equipment used to examine specific body parts to be capable of examining the body parts of a patient seated in a wheelchair. The height of the component and any adjustable feature would have to accommodate patients seated in a wheelchair.

For example, an X-ray platform on which a patient places their arm or hand would have to be capable of examining the arm or hand of a patient seated in a wheelchair.

Mammography equipment was the subject of considerable discussion at the public meeting held by the Access Board in July 2010. The discussion highlighted the need for mammography equipment that is accessible to patients seated in a wheelchair. In addition to providing knee and toe clearance at the breast platform (see M303.2.4), the height of the breast platform was identified as critical to ensuring that mammography equipment is accessible to patients seated in a wheelchair. Mammography equipment with adjustable breast platforms is available. M303.4.1 would require the height of the breast platform to be 30 inches (760 mm) high minimum and 42 inches (1065 mm) high maximum above the floor when mammography equipment is used by patients seated in a wheelchair. The Wheeled Mobility Anthropometry Project showed that the seat heights of 96 percent of women using manual wheelchairs and 98 percent of women using power wheelchairs in the sample was between 17 inches and 24 inches above the floor. See Analysis of Seat Heights for Wheeled Mobility Devices at: http://udeworld.com/analysis-of-seat-height-for-wheeled-mobility-devices. Other anthropometric data show the heights of the midpoint of the breast to be 13 inches for the 5th percentile woman and 18 inches for the 95th percentile woman when measured from seat height. See Laura Peebles and Beverley Norris, Adultdata: The Handbook of Adult Anthropometric and Strength Measurements: Data for Design Safety (London, Department of Trade and Industry, 1998), page 71. The proposed height range for the breast platform is based on the above anthropometric data. Breast platforms can be located outside the proposed height range when not used by patients seated in a wheelchair.

Question 36. Comments are requested on the following questions regarding breast platforms:

a) Is the proposed height range for the breast platform (30 inches high minimum and 42 inches high maximum above the floor) sufficient to accommodate patients seated in a wheelchair?

b) Are there other features of the breast platform that the technical criteria should address to ensure accessibility and, if so, how should they be addressed? Comments should include information on sources to support the technical criteria for the features, where possible.