Preparing for the Hospital as a Disabled Person

All disabled people have the right to healthcare that accommodates their access needs and respects their autonomy. This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally.

Why This Matters

Hospitals are designed for speed, efficiency, and normative bodies—not for disabled patients with complex needs, communication differences, mobility equipment, or trauma histories. Without preparation, disabled people routinely experience lost mobility aids, refused accommodations, medication errors, communication breakdowns, and dismissal of symptoms.

A study in Health Affairs found that information about disability accommodations is sparse on hospital websites, and that adults with disabilities are almost twice as likely as non-disabled adults to report unmet healthcare needs related to inaccessibility. A CMS survey found that among physicians seeing patients with significant mobility limitations, only 40% always or usually used accessible exam tables or chairs.

Preparation can’t fix these systemic problems, but it can reduce some preventable harm.

Before You Go: Preparation

Document Your Needs

Create a written document (sometimes called a “disability passport” or “health passport”) that includes:

Your diagnoses and current medications with dosages
Allergies and adverse reactions
Communication needs (how you communicate best, whether you use AAC, need ASL interpretation, etc.)
Mobility and positioning needs (how to safely transfer, whether you can use standard beds/chairs)
Sensory needs (light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, tactile preferences)
Dietary requirements
Equipment you use and any maintenance it requires
Pain management information (what works, what doesn’t, baseline pain levels)
Trauma-informed care needs (triggers to avoid, what helps you feel safe)
Emergency contacts and healthcare proxies

Print multiple copies. Have this available digitally as well.

Know Your Rights

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (Titles II and III) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act:

Hospitals must provide effective communication (interpreters, accessible formats, communication aids)
Hospitals must make reasonable modifications to policies and procedures
Hospitals must provide physical accessibility
You cannot be charged extra for accommodations like interpreters
Family members cannot be required to provide interpretation or assistance (though they may choose to)

Healthcare facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid funds must also comply with Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

Contact the Hospital in Advance

For scheduled admissions or procedures:

Call the disability services office, patient advocate, or accommodations coordinator
Explain your specific accommodation needs
Request confirmation that accommodations will be in place
Ask for documentation of what was agreed
Get the name and contact information of someone who can resolve problems

For facilities you might use in emergencies:

Consider contacting local hospitals before any emergency to have your needs on file
Ask whether the emergency department can flag your records with accommodation needs
Identify which nearby hospitals have the best accessibility for your specific needs

Prepare Your Equipment

Charge all battery-powered devices
Bring chargers and backup batteries
Label everything with your name and contact information
Know whether the hospital can accommodate your equipment (will your wheelchair fit through doorways? can they provide power for your CPAP?)
Bring operation manuals or written instructions for any complex equipment
Consider bringing photos of your equipment setup at home

Medication Preparation

Bring a complete, current medication list including dosages and timing
Bring medications in original containers
Know whether you can self-administer any medications or whether hospital protocols require staff administration
If you take medications at specific times or in specific ways that matter, document why
For controlled substances, bring documentation of your prescriptions
If you use compounded medications or formulations not commonly available, bring your own supply and documentation

Communication Preparation

If you use alternative communication methods:

Bring backup communication devices
Have low-tech backup (letter board, picture board, written notes)
Prepare a document explaining how you communicate
If you’re nonverbal or have intermittent speech, prepare written statements in advance (“I need pain medication,” “I need to use the bathroom,” “Something is wrong”)
If you use ASL, contact the hospital about interpreter services before arrival

Bring an Advocate

If possible, have someone who can:

Stay with you or check in regularly
Communicate with staff on your behalf if needed
Take notes on what happens
Advocate if accommodations aren’t provided
Help monitor your care and equipment
Hold important documents and valuables

If you don’t have someone who can be physically present:

Designate someone who can be reached by phone
Ensure staff know who is authorized to receive information and make decisions
Consider contacting patient advocacy organizations for support

During Your Stay

On Arrival

Give your accommodation document to admitting staff and ask that it be included in your chart
Request that accommodation needs be flagged in your electronic health record
Ask who is responsible for ensuring accommodations are provided during your stay
Note the patient advocate or ombudsman contact information

Protecting Your Equipment

Hospital policies sometimes result in lost, damaged, or confiscated equipment. To protect your mobility aids, communication devices, and other essential equipment:

Keep devices as close to you as possible
Label everything clearly
Document condition of equipment on arrival (take photos)
Ask where equipment will be stored if it must be removed for procedures
Request written policies about equipment storage and return
If equipment is damaged or lost, report immediately and document

Ensuring Communication Access

Remind staff of your communication needs at each shift change
For scheduled interpreter services, confirm the interpreter is arranged before the appointment
If an interpreter doesn’t arrive, insist one be provided—written notes are not adequate for complex medical communication
For d/Deaf patients: Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is often offered as a substitute for in-person interpreters; you have the right to request in-person interpretation if VRI is inadequate
Document any instances where communication access was not provided

Managing Medications

Ask to review any medications before they’re administered
Speak up if timing or dosages are different from your usual regimen
If staff want to change your medications, ask for explanation and documentation
Report any adverse reactions immediately
If you’re unconscious or unable to advocate, your documented medication list becomes crucial

Advocating for Your Needs

Phrases that can help:

“I need you to document in my chart that I requested [accommodation].”
“This is a legal requirement under the ADA.”
“I need to speak with the patient advocate about my accommodation needs.”
“Please note in my chart that [specific issue] occurred.”
“I’m not able to consent to [procedure] without accessible communication.”

If staff are dismissive:

Ask for their name and write it down
Ask to speak with a supervisor, charge nurse, or patient advocate
Document what happened with dates, times, and names
You can file complaints with hospital administration, your state health department, or the Office for Civil Rights

Shift Changes

Hospital shift changes are high-risk times for communication failures. At each shift change:

Remind incoming staff of your accommodation needs
Verify that key information was communicated
Repeat critical information (allergies, communication needs, positioning requirements)

Specific Situations

Emergency Department Visits

Emergency departments present unique challenges: high volume, time pressure, and unpredictable waits.

Bring your documentation even for emergencies (keep a copy in your bag, phone, or with emergency contacts)
State accommodation needs clearly at triage
Ask for a private space if you have sensory needs
Request that your mobility equipment stay with you
If you can’t communicate verbally, hand staff your written communication document immediately
Medical advocacy organizations sometimes provide wallet cards for emergency situations

Surgical Procedures

Discuss accommodation needs during pre-operative appointments
Clarify when you’ll need to remove mobility aids and when they’ll be returned
Ask whether you can keep communication devices until sedation and have them immediately available on waking
Discuss pain management plan in advance
For implanted devices (cochlear implants, pumps, etc.), ensure surgical team knows their location and requirements

Mental Health

If you have mental health conditions or trauma history:

Document specific triggers to avoid
Explain what helps you feel safe
Request that past psychiatric history not be used to dismiss current physical symptoms
Ask about options if you become distressed (who to contact, what helps)
Know your rights regarding psychiatric holds in your state

ICU and Extended Stays

Establish communication systems early
Request consistent staff when possible (same nurses on shift)
Ask for orientation information about where you are, what day it is, and what’s happening
Request family/advocate access policies in writing
Plan for gradual return of your equipment as you’re transferred to lower levels of care

After Discharge

Before Leaving

Request copies of all medical records from your stay
Verify you have all your equipment
Get written discharge instructions in accessible formats
Understand follow-up requirements and who to contact with problems
Ask about any ongoing accommodation needs during recovery

If Things Went Wrong

Document everything while it’s fresh
Request your complete medical records
File complaints with:
- Hospital patient advocate or administration
- State health department
- Office for Civil Rights (for ADA and Section 504 violations)
- The Joint Commission (for accredited hospitals)
- Your state’s disability rights protection and advocacy organization
Consider consulting with a disability rights attorney if you experienced significant harm

Who’s Organizing Around This

National Disability Rights Network and state Protection & Advocacy organizations provide legal advocacy when rights are violated.

CMS Office of Minority Health has developed resources on healthcare accessibility including physical accessibility guides.

DREDF (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund) provides technical assistance on healthcare access rights.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network has developed healthcare toolkits specifically for autistic patients.

Little People of America, United Spinal Association, and other condition-specific organizations provide healthcare navigation resources.

Sources

U.S. Department of Justice. Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities (2024)
ADA National Network. Health Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act
CMS Office of Minority Health. Modernizing Health Care to Improve Physical Accessibility (2023)
UPMC Center for Continuing Education. Identifying Disability Accommodation Needs
JCJQS (2024). Can you know before you go? Information about disability accommodations on US hospital websites
Healthline (2025). Disability Discussions in Medical Appointments

This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.

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