Health care access collage of contributors
Representatives From Our Community of Stakeholders

Our program embraces a diverse group of stakeholders invested in the delivery of health care: providers, medical systems, public health researchers and patients. Together, we collaborate toward the common goal of effective communication for people with hearing loss and their companions in all medical encounters.

A Call to Action toward Achieving Accessible Telehealth

Two things you need to know:

  1. The Communications Video and Technology Accessibility (CVTA) Act has the potential to impact compliance with the ADA requirement providing for effective communication in healthcare settings. When a healthcare provider uses telehealth services, these platforms must include the ability to provide captioning to accommodate people who need them.
  2. A recent order issued by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requires that by September 3, 2024, video conferencing platforms, including telehealth platforms, ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities.  For people with hearing loss, that means having access to captioning.

Two actions you can take: 

  1. Write to your senators and congresspersons and ask them to co-sponsor CVTA.
  1. Share with your healthcare provider your need for captions in telehealth appointments. Ask your provider to communicate with their platform provider to ensure captions are included in the build used for telehealth services.

Reminder:
Right now, you can request captions for your telehealth appointments under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Hearing Life Magazine: Health Care Communication Access Column

Resources

Program Leadership

  • Advisers
  • Policy: Lise Hamlin
  • Research: Megan Morris, Ph.D., M.P.H., CCC-SLP and Nicholas Reed, Au.D., CCC-A
  • Strategic Team: Elaine McCaffrey, chair, Peggy Ellertsen, Toni Iacolucci and Margaret Wallhagen

Contact

healthcareaccess@hearingloss.org