Two laws protect people with disabilities when they use health care services: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. These rules were updated last year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make sure that discrimination against people with disabilities is clearly prohibited and that health care is accessible to everyone.
To help healthcare providers and organizations that receive Department funding better understand their responsibilities, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is highlighting key disability nondiscrimination requirements. These updates include specific obligations requiring health care providers to take concrete actions to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. OCR is also highlighting upcoming deadlines that providers need to meet.
What Are Section 504 and Section 1557?
Section 504: This law makes it illegal for health care programs that receive federal funding to discriminate against people with disabilities. If a hospital, clinic, or medical practice gets government money, they must provide fair and equal access to their services for people with disabilities.
Section 1557: This law is broader, protecting people from discrimination based on disability, race, color, national origin, sex, or age in health programs. It adds even more protections to ensure that people with disabilities get equal treatment, especially when it comes to communication, technology, and telehealth services.
What Do These Laws Require of Health Care Providers?
Equal Access to Medical Treatment
Health care providers are required to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, has equal access to treatment. For example:
- Hospitals must provide the same level of care to people with disabilities as they do to others, unless there’s a valid medical reason why a specific treatment wouldn’t be effective.
Accessible Technology
Healthcare facilities increasingly rely on technology like self-check-in kiosks, mobile apps, and websites:
- By 2026, all large health care programs must make their websites and apps accessible to people with disabilities. For example:
- Websites and apps should be compatible with screen readers to support individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
- Kiosks should offer alternatives for people who can’t use touchscreens, such as voice control or assistance from staff.
Effective Communication
Healthcare providers must ensure that communication with people with disabilities is just as clear and effective as it is with others. This may include:
- Providing sign language interpreters for patients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
- Offering written materials in Braille or large print for patients who are blind or have low vision.
- Using devices or other supports to help individuals with hearing impairments understand spoken communication.
Fair Use of Decision-Making Tools
When doctors or health plans use tools to determine treatment options, they must ensure these tools do not unintentionally disadvantage people with disabilities. For instance:
- If a tool suggests that a treatment might not be effective for someone with a disability, providers should ensure this assessment is free from bias and based on sound medical reasoning.
Accessible Medical Equipment
By 2026, healthcare providers will be required to have accessible medical equipment to ensure all patients receive appropriate care. Examples include:
- Exam tables that lower to accommodate wheelchair users.
- Scales designed for use by people in wheelchairs.
What Is the Significance of These Rules?
Studies show that people with disabilities often face significant inequalities in health care. Some doctors assume that individuals with disabilities have a lower quality of life, which can result in poorer care and inadequate treatment.
These updated laws aim to address these issues by requiring health care providers to treat people with disabilities fairly, remove barriers that prevent access to care, and avoid making judgments based on stereotypes or biases.
When Do These Rules Take Effect?
Many parts of these updated rules are already in place, but some deadlines are on the horizon.
- July 2026: Large health care programs must have accessible websites and apps.
- January 2027: Health care providers must have accessible medical equipment in place.
- July 2027: Small health care programs must meet these same accessibility standards.
What’s Next?
Health care providers need to review their policies, technology, and equipment to make sure they meet these standards. They’ll need to train staff to provide accessible care and ensure no one is left behind because of a disability.
These updates are about creating a healthcare system that works for everyone. Whether it’s scheduling an appointment, accessing medical records, or receiving treatment, people with disabilities deserve the same care, respect, and dignity as anyone else.
Let’s Talk Solutions
LanguageLine can play a vital role in helping companies comply with regulations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act by providing essential services and support to ensure accessibility and effective communication for people with disabilities. Here are some specific ways LanguageLine can help:
Effective Communication Solutions
LanguageLine provides qualified interpreters, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, to ensure Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals can communicate effectively with healthcare providers.
We also offer written translation services, including Braille, large print, and other accessible formats for individuals with visual impairments.
Auxiliary Aids and Services
We help our clients provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services, as required by these regulations. This includes real-time communication solutions like Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for immediate accessibility.
Customizable Accessibility Plans
We work with our clients to develop and implement tailored plans that ensure compliance with nondiscrimination rules. These plans address the unique needs of patients with disabilities by providing language access, communication tools, and accessibility enhancements.
Staff Training
LanguageLine provides training programs for healthcare staff to educate them about how to use interpreters, assistive technologies, and communication tools effectively. This training ensures that staff understand their responsibilities under Section 504 and Section 1557 and are equipped to offer inclusive, patient-centered care.
Technology Integration
Our solutions integrate with kiosks, mobile apps, telehealth platforms, and websites to help ensure that digital health services are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Compliance Monitoring and Support
LanguageLine collaborates with our clients to regularly assess their accessibility efforts and make adjustments as needed. This ongoing partnership helps ensure that organizations remain compliant with the latest requirements and avoid inadvertent discriminatory practices.
By leveraging LanguageLine’s expertise in language access and accessibility, our clients can better serve individuals with disabilities, meet federal compliance standards, and provide equitable care to all patients. These partnerships not only ensure adherence to the law, but also promote inclusion and enhance the patient experience.
We invite you to schedule a free consultation to learn more.