Health Access for Independent Living (HAIL) Fact Sheet: Working with Your Health Care Provider

Physical Barriers

• Transportation and Access. Prepare yourself. Call your transportation provider and the health care office before your visit if you need to answer the following questions.

  • Will the transportation provider take you directly to the medical office?

  • How long will the driver wait for you if your visit runs over the expected time?

  • Does the building provide easy access to needed rooms, such as lab and X-ray rooms and bathrooms?

  • Are patient instructions and education materials provided in alternate formats if needed, such as large print or audio files?

  • Are the examining and diagnostic rooms user-friendly for your accessibility needs? For example, is there an adjustable height examining table?

• Equipment or aids. Does the health care provider have assistive equipment like wheelchairs, accessible weight scales and other tools that help you have a complete exam?