Tufts Medical Center settled with the federal government to resolve a compliance review under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the Department of Justice.
Under the settlement, Tufts Medical Center agreed to ensure its facilities in Boston allow for equal access for disabled Americans. Tufts agreed to:
- Improve its policies and procedures for communicating with people with hearing difficulties
- Remove barriers in public areas to improve physical access
- Provide at least one accessible patient room for each medical service
- Ensure medical equipment is accessible to individuals with disabilities
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said the case "is a reminder that we still need the basic protections provided by the ADA. This is especially true for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, who often receive too little support when trying to navigate the healthcare system. I commend Tufts for working with us to improve services for patients with disabilities, and we hope this agreement encourages other healthcare providers to review their ADA compliance."
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