For women with disabilities (WWD), medical equipment and facilities are often ill-equipped to meet their medical needs. This creates significant challenges during pregnancy, as routine prenatal care and childbirth require specialized tools that are rarely designed with accessibility in mind. Many women with disabilities report difficulties using traditional exam tables and scales. Adjustable height tables and accessible scales are rare, leaving women to navigate healthcare systems that inadvertently exclude them. Standard ultrasound machines often require positioning that may not be feasible for women with mobility impairments. Similarly, birthing equipment may not accommodate wheelchair users or women with limited physical strength.
Facilities themselves pose additional barriers, including narrow hallways, inadequate parking, and restrooms that do not comply with accessibility standards. “Women with physical disabilities encounter inaccessible providers offices and healthcare facilities, clinicians with limited understanding of how to provide prenatal care to women with disabilities, and a paucity of information related to pregnancy and disability.” (Powell et al, 2018). These barriers can deter women from seeking essential care. Accessing healthcare facilities often involves transportation hurdles. Reliable and accessible transportation is a critical but often overlooked component of healthcare equity.
Companies are beginning to develop more inclusive medical equipment, such as adjustable exam tables and portable ultrasound devices. These innovations are crucial in making healthcare more inclusive. Hospitals and clinics must prioritize accessibility improvements, including wider doorways, accessible restrooms, and staff trained in assisting patients with disabilities. Some key equipment needed for exam rooms include: Hi-Lo bariatric exam table, patient support rail, surgical stirrups, Hoyer lift and transfer board, as well as a wheelchair accessible scale. (Source: NYU Langone Health).
Advocating for systemic change, including enforcing ADA compliance and encouraging healthcare providers to invest in accessible equipment, is essential. According to the ADA:
Features of an Accessible Examination Room
- A clear floor space, 30” X 48” minimum, adjacent to the exam table and adjoining accessible route make it possible to do a side transfer.
- Adjustable height accessible exam table lowers for transfers.
- Providing space between table and wall allows staff to assist with patient transfers and positioning. When additional space is provided, transfers may be made from both sides.
- Amount of floor space needed beside and at end of exam table will vary depending on method of patient transfer and lift equipment size.
- Accessible route connects to other accessible public and common use spaces.
- Accessible entry door has 32” minimum clear opening width with door open 90 degrees.
- Maneuvering clearances are needed at the door to the room.
Support networks play a vital role in sharing adaptive strategies and resources. Community-led initiatives can amplify the voices of women who demand better care. Online forums and local groups can connect women to facilities and providers committed to accessibility. By advocating for change and embracing innovative solutions, we can move toward a future where every woman, regardless of her abilities, has access to the healthcare she deserves.
