Date: July 18, 2023
Author: Rachel Miller, MPH, APTA Health Policy and Payment Specialist

Health care providers are required to ensure that communication with people with disabilities is as effective as communication with people without disabilities. Over time, the U.S. Department of Justice has identified an alarming number of violations to this policy. In response, the department has attempted to give providers plain-language technical assistance on how to comply with their legal obligations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act Effective Communication requirement.

In this three-part series, I'm breaking down that advice. This installment explores the basics of the requirement; part two dives into misconceptions; part three offers tips.