Phoenix AXS ADA Compliant Chair

GETTING TO KNOW THE 2024 ADA COMPLIANCE STANDARDS

Time is running out to meet federally mandated accessible medical diagnostic equipment. Discover how the JEDMED PhoenixAXS Chair delivers compliance - 
and what your facility can do today to stay-a-head and prepare now.

GET UP TO SPEED ON THE 2024 STANDARDS

SEAT HEIGHT      TRANSFER SURFACE     BASE CLEARANCE      TRANSFER SUPPORTS 

Our PhoenixAXS chair has been specifically designed to meet the current ADA requirements as well as the proposed US Access Board requirements for compliance.  

Beginning July 8, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started enforcing new accessibility standards for healthcare facilities receiving federal financial assistance. Later, on October 8, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final ruling requiring state and local government entities to comply with the Access Board Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment. Together, these regulations establish consistent nationwide standards for the design and usability of medical diagnostic equipment, improving accessibility and care for individuals with disabilities.

Learn below how these enforcement updates may impact your facility.

ENFORCED STANDARDS:

The HHS and DOJ are currently enforcing the 2017 Access Board Standards (36 CFR Part 1195), which require medical diagnostic equipment to provide a low transfer height range of 17 to 19 inches.

Although the 2024 update establishing a mandatory 17-inch low transfer height has not yet been formally enforced, both HHS and DOJ have indicated their intent to adopt the revised standard in the future.

Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, with enforcement oversight provided by the VA Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion (ORMDI) and the DOJ.

SCOPING REQUIREMENTS:

According to the HHS and DOJ rulings, the general scoping requirements for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) are as follows:

• At least 10% of the total number of medical diagnostic equipment units at a facility, but no fewer than one unit, must comply with the Access Board Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE).
• At rehabilitation facilities specializing in the treatment of mobility-related conditions, at least 20% of the total number of medical diagnostic equipment units, but no fewer than one unit, must comply with the Access Board Standards for MDE.

Effective July 8, 2024, for HHS and October 8, 2024, for DOJ-regulated entities, all newly acquired medical diagnostic equipment must comply with the Access Board Standards issued on July 1, 2017 (36 CFR Part 1195). These standards require medical diagnostic equipment to provide a low transfer height range of 17 to 19 inches until the applicable scoping requirements have been satisfied.

MINIMUM OBLIGATION:

Additionally, both HHS and DOJ have established minimum compliance obligations for facilities until the full general scoping requirements are achieved.

Under HHS requirements, each facility must have at least one examination chair and one weight scale that comply with the 2017 Access Board Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE) by July 8, 2026.

Under DOJ requirements, each facility must have at least one examination chair and one weight scale that comply with the 2017 Access Board Standards for MDE by August 9, 2026.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Examples of facilities subject to the HHS ruling include public hospitals (state, local, and university-operated), county health departments, private hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), physician offices, rehabilitation centers, private mental health centers, and Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.

Examples of facilities subject to the DOJ ruling include state and county hospitals, local health departments, and public university hospitals.

For facilities or programs with multiple departments, clinics, or specialty areas, accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) must be distributed proportionately throughout the organization. Facilities must ensure that the placement and availability of accessible MDE do not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

Refusing to provide a physical examination to a patient with a disability due to a lack of accessible MDE may violate the nondiscrimination requirements outlined in Sections 35.210 (DOJ) and 84.91 (HHS). These regulations prohibit entities from excluding, denying benefits to, or otherwise discriminating against individuals with disabilities in their services, programs, or activities.

Meeting only the minimum 10% accessibility requirement may still create scheduling challenges for patients with disabilities. Even after complying with the scoping requirements, facilities may face potential compliance concerns under Sections 35.212 (DOJ) and 84.93 (HHS) if individuals with disabilities continue to have significantly fewer scheduling options than patients without disabilities. These provisions require that services, programs, and activities be readily accessible to stay ahead and usable by individuals with disabilities.

All information current at time of publishing