How has the US Department of Justice helped to ensure equal and effective access for people with disabilities to health care?

Q: How has the US Department of Justice helped to ensure equal and effective access for people with disabilities to health care?

A: The US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, in collaboration with US Attorneys’ offices across the country, have an effort known as the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative. This partnership expands on their prior work to enforce the rights of people with disabilities by combining their collective resources to increase awareness of the critical importance of equal access to medical services and facilities. The Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative aims to ensure physical access to buildings and facilities for people with mobility disabilities, effective communication of medical information for those who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing, and equal access to treatment for those with HIV/AIDS. It is intended to reflect the Department of Justice commitment to fight discrimination against individuals with disabilities in this essential area of community access.