Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment Used by State and Local Governments

Fact Sheet: New Rule on the Accessibility of Medical Diagnostic Equipment Used by State and Local Governments

The Department of Justice (Department) is publishing a final rule updating the regulation for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The final rule has specific requirements about accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE).

Purpose of the fact sheet: This fact sheet gives a summary of the rule. It provides introductory information about the rule, particularly for people who may not have a legal background.

Reasons for the new final rule: People with disabilities continue to face barriers to getting medical care because of inaccessible MDE. Barriers can include exam tables with heights that cannot be adjusted, mammography machines that require a person to stand, or weight scales that do not accommodate wheelchairs. These barriers result in inequities and exclusion from basic health services for individuals with disabilities, contributing to poor health outcomes. This rule establishes enforceable standards for accessible MDE, which is a significant step toward addressing health disparities experienced by people with disabilities.

You can find more information about why the Department of Justice made this rule in the section of the rule called “Need for the Adoption of MDE Standards.”

To access the fact sheet for this new final rule, please visit: https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-08-08-mde-fact-sheet/.