Support While Receiving Medical Treatment During COVID-19

Disability Rights Pennsylvania has an excellent resource that reviews the rights of patients with disabilities and their application during COVID-19. The attached document answers the following important questions:  

• Do federal disability civil rights laws apply to hospitals/medical providers during COVID-19?
• Does it violate the law for a hospital/medical provider to prohibit a patient with disabilities from having a support person or interpreter?
• Must the hospital/medical provider allow a sign language or other professional interpreter or qualified reader if necessary, for the patient to understand and communicate with medical providers?
• Must the hospital / medical provider allow a parent, advocate, or other supporter for a patient with cognitive or mental health disability? 
• Must a hospital allow the patient’s personal care assistant to be present?
• Can the hospital/medical provider place restrictions on visitors when the ADA, RA and ACA allow them?
• What should I do to help a person with a disability who is denied a supporter or communicator?

Please send any suggestions or questions related to this article or requests for additional resources to RA-basprovidersupprt@pa.gov.