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When applied systematically, there are best practices that can create a more universally accessible environment. Being mindful and avoiding ableist spoken and written language is essential to creating an inclusive environment and providing better care. Additionally, adding a description of your role on the clinical care team and identifying each person in the room avoids erroneous assumptions.

People with disabilities experience barriers to care in all facets of health care, from engaging with the provider in a clinical setting (attitudinal and communication barriers) to navigating a large institution in a complex health care environment (organizational and environmental barriers), culminating in significant health care disparities.

Case: A 68-year-old woman presents by ambulance for evaluation after a fall down stairs. The patient had a fall and was found by the stairway. EMS has not been able to obtain a history or circumstances surrounding the fall because the patient is deaf and uses sign language.

At the beginning of 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus — also known as the coronavirus-19 or COVID-19, was creeping toward the United States. Misinformation was rampant, especially on social media. This “infodemic” was widespread, with many questions and unknowns.

While legislation and modern advances have made it possible for more d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing (HoH) individuals to enter medicine, the number of d/Deaf/HoH medical trainees remains low and barriers to entry into medicine are significant.

People with disabilities experience barriers to care in all facets of health care, from engaging with the provider in a clinical setting (attitudinal and communication barriers) to navigating a large institution in a complex health care environment (organizational and environmental barriers), culminating in significant health care disparities.