Accessibility & Health

March 2026

Expert Perspectives: Improving Clinical Care through Lived Experience

Join us for an insightful panel discussion centered on the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities within the healthcare system. This webinar features three self-advocates who will share first-hand accounts of the hurdles they face when seeking accessible and appropriate medical care.

Beyond identifying challenges, our panelists will provide actionable recommendations designed to help healthcare professionals, public health workers, and advocates bridge the gap in service delivery. This session is a vital opportunity for providers to learn how to more effectively meet the diverse needs of their patients.

Panelists:

Mary Ellen Heiner, Autumn Cuellar, and Kelie Hess

Date:

Tues., April 14, 2026

Time:

12:00 - 1:00 PM MDT

If you have missed any of our previous trainings, you can still catch them as Canvas courses listed on our website. Got some extra time? Check them out!

Building Accessibility into Everyday Public Health Practice

For local health departments, delivering equitable and effective services depends on more than well-written policies—it requires staff who understand how to apply them in real-world situations. One of the most important, yet often overlooked, components of success is ongoing, practical staff training. This can help avoid situations like this:

From Policy to Practice in Public Health Settings

Health departments frequently serve diverse populations with varying needs. Front-line staff—such as receptionists, clinic assistants, outreach workers, and call center teams—are often the first point of contact. Without proper training, even strong accessibility policies can fall short.

Staff should feel confident in their ability to:

• Adjust standard procedures when necessary to ensure access
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with individuals of all abilities
• Handle calls through relay systems and other assistive communication tools
• Identify alternative ways to deliver services when physical or procedural barriers arise

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Consider these common scenarios in a local health department:

• Clinic Access: A patient who uses a wheelchair arrives for a vaccination clinic, but the exam tables are not height-adjustable. A trained staff member quickly adapts by offering the service in an accessible space and ensuring the patient receives care without unnecessary barriers.

• Communication Support: A deaf resident calls to schedule an appointment using a relay service. A staff member unfamiliar with relay calls might mistakenly hang up. With proper training, staff recognize the process and complete the scheduling smoothly.

• Public Health Outreach: During a community vaccination event, staff encounter an individual with limited mobility who cannot stand in long lines. Trained staff implement an alternative process—such as curbside service—to ensure equitable access.

• Policy Flexibility: A standard intake process requires written forms, but a patient with limited dexterity cannot complete them. Staff step in to assist verbally or provide alternative formats, ensuring the individual can still receive services.

Leveraging Community Expertise

Local health departments don’t have to build training programs from scratch. Community partners, such as Centers for Independent Living, offer hands-on ADA training tailored to real-world service environments. Additional support and guidance are also available through agencies like the Department of Justice and the National Network of ADA Centers.

Takeaway

Accessible public health services depend on staff who are prepared, adaptable, and informed. By investing in ongoing training and real-world application, local health departments can ensure their services truly reach—and serve—everyone in their communities.