Accessibility & Health

June 2025

Public entities have an ongoing obligation to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not excluded from programs and services because facilities are unusable or inaccessible to them.

There is no “grandfather clause” in the ADA that exempts older facilities. However, the law strikes a careful balance between increasing access for people with disabilities and recognizing the constraints many public entities face. It allows entities confronted with limited financial resources to improve accessibility without excessive expense.

In the years since the ADA took effect, public facilities have become increasingly accessible. In the event that changes still need to be made, there is flexibility in deciding how to meet this obligation:

• structural changes can be made to provide access,
• the program or service can be relocated to an accessible facility, or
• the program or service can be provided in an alternate manner.

Public Health Examples

Example 1: A local health department that provides immunizations or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) services must ensure that all areas used for these services are wheelchair accessible. This includes ramps, elevators, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.

Why it matters: If someone cannot physically enter the building or navigate to a service area, they are effectively excluded from care.

Example 2: Local health departments must include people with disabilities in their emergency planning (e.g., for evacuations, sheltering, or vaccine distribution during pandemics).

Why it matters: Emergencies disproportionately affect people with disabilities if their needs aren't planned for in advance.

Have you seen these documents created to help you navigate disability accessibility in your work? Here they are if you missed them.

Trauma Informed Care is a service philosophy that aims to prevent and heal trauma while promoting safety and empowerment.

We created three Online Accessibility Guides to help professionals at local health departments have guidance as they create products to share online (and beyond).

If you're planning a meeting, in person or virtual, we have created the Inclusive Meeting & Training Checklist to help you make it a welcoming and accessible experience for other people, especially if they have disabilities.