Practice Management Alert

If your practice doesn’t offer many or any accommodations for deaf people, you can make some small, inexpensive changes as well as some bigger investments to boost accessibility.

Here are five options:

1. Keep a whiteboard on hand in exam rooms and in whatever room you might hold practice-wide staff meetings. Being able to communicate a phrase or concept through written words or even a quick sketch can boost accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

2. Make written materials available. All patients are used to being handed paperwork when visiting a practice for the first time, but make sure your written materials include any important instructions as well. If a staff member requires accommodations, make sure you provide written materials for meetings.

3. Clearly label rooms and check-in spaces with easy-to-read signage so patients can navigate to exam rooms, to check-in/check-out spaces, to the bathroom, or anywhere else they may need to go during their visit.

4. Be proactive in your understanding of how people prefer to communicate. Some may prefer lip reading versus American Sign Language versus Signed English; having staff with at least a little knowledge of any of these languages can be a big head start, in terms of basic accessibility, though a properly qualified, fluent interpreter may still be required in any number of situations (and by law).

5. Consider adding communication technology to your practice space. For example, a secure text messaging system or a buzzer that flashes lights and vibrates can alert patients that their exam room is ready.

Dial In on How Accommodations Present

Make sure your accommodations are helpful but also sensitive to individual dignity.

Consider this guidance from the National Association of the Deaf when updating your accommodations for deaf patients:

What policies have been established to accommodate patients and offer access to care — and do all staff understand the procedures?

• How are deaf or hard-of-hearing patients identified to ensure assistance and aid, but also to avoid discrimination and protect their privacy?
• Are visual aids available for both clinical and administrative questions?
• Do any providers know ASL or are there any staff with a basic knowledge?
• Are language interpreters properly trained and certified by an accrediting body?
• Do all staff know the existing laws and the consequences for failure to help individuals with language interpretation requests?

Don’t forget: While you’re evaluating your communication methods and protocols, make sure you have a plan for emergencies and disasters. One crucial part of accommodating disabilities during emergencies is making sure everyone involved understands plans beforehand. It may be impossible or even dangerous to get an interpreter to your practice or facility in the midst of an emergency, so taking the time to make sure anyone who needs accommodations is well-versed in the emergency or disaster plan could be crucial for health and safety.