Which action is appropriate when a patient with a disability requests an accommodation?

• A. Do nothing and hope they can access without assistance.
• B. Advise the patient to contact a disability rights office.
• C. Offer generic instructions only.
• D. Assess needs, arrange reasonable accommodations, and involve accessibility services if needed.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is to actively assess what the patient needs and arrange reasonable accommodations, bringing in accessibility services when needed. In a healthcare setting, providing access isn’t just polite—it’s a responsibility that helps ensure the patient can participate in care safely and effectively.

So how does that play out in practice? Start by asking the patient what accommodations would help them access services. Then determine what accommodations are reasonable to implement without imposing an undue burden or changing the essential nature of the care. This might mean arranging an interpreter, offering documents in accessible formats, providing assistive devices, or adjusting the scheduling or the physical setup to enable easier access. If the situation requires specialized expertise, involve accessibility or disability services to coordinate the supports.

This approach is better than doing nothing, which would create barriers and could be discriminatory; simply telling the patient to contact a disability rights office is outside the direct patient-reception role and could delay care; offering generic instructions falls short of addressing the specific needs of the patient. By assessing needs, arranging tailored accommodations, and coordinating with the right services, you support safe, equitable access to care.