Frank C. Morris, Jr., Member of the Firm in the Labor and Employment and Litigation practices, will present "Meeting the Challenges of the DOJ's ADA Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative," a Lorman Education Services Audio Conference.
The DOJ and U.S. Attorney's Offices recently announced an aggressive nationwide enforcement campaign under the Americans With Disabilities Act against health care providers of every kind. Dubbed the "Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative," health care providers are, of course, public accommodations under Title III of the ADA and thus required to assure that individuals with disabilities have full access to all of the services and facilities of health care providers - including hospitals, HMO's and doctor's offices, diagnostic and treatment centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation centers and even E-Health providers - irrespective of their disability.
The DOJ Initiative is clearly focused on communications with deaf and hard of hearing patients and their companions and physical access to buildings, parking, exam rooms and equipment for individuals with other disabilities. Key targets of recent litigation by advocacy groups for the disabled and DOJ proposed rulemaking are websites, scheduling systems, and Internet-based services. Failure to make facilities and services (including websites) available to individuals with disabilities has resulted in litigation with resolutions often costing seven figures.
This live audio conference will address the DOJ's Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative, cutting-edge issues including web-based information and services and how to avoid being an enforcement target and how health care providers can cost effectively comply with ADA and similar state law obligations in this rapidly evolving area.
Topics Include:
DOJ — U.S. Attorney's Offices Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative
- Why DOJ Is Targeting Health Care Related Entities
- What Title III of the ADA Requires of Health Care Entities
- The More Stringent ADA 2010 Regulations, Effective March 15, 2012 and Health Care Entities
- Key Areas of DOJ and Disability Advocacy Community Scrutiny
- Effective Communications Between Patients/Companions and Providers
- Physical Access and Accessible Equipment
- Significant Financial and PR Consequences of DOJ's ADA Initiative
Communicating With Patients/Companions With Disabilities
- Friends and Families Are Not the Solution
- Auxiliary AIDS and Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients
- Interpreters
- VRI Video Remote Interpreters
- Establish Business Relationships
- Policies and Staff Training
- Is Your Website or Scheduling System a Litigation Magnet?
Paths of Travel, Parking, Facility Signage, and General Services
- Accessible Paths of Travel from Public Transportation, Parking and On-Site Generally
- Sufficient and Compliant Signage
- Waiting, Exam and Rest Room Issues
- Cafeterias, Gift Shops, Water Fountains, Counters and Service Areas
Necessary Policies and Training
- DOJ Will Closely Audit Policies and Training Relating to Services For Individuals With Disabilities
- Service Animal Issues and Not Just Dogs
- Self-Powered and Other Power Driven Mobility Devices
Questions and Answers
For more information, visit Lorman.com.
