Have you experienced problems during diagnosis or treatment at your favorite doctor's office, medical clinic or hospital? Were any of the problems you encountered caused by the inaccessible nature of the medical diagnosis or treatment equipment? There is hope on the horizon, and you can become a part of the solution.

Some of you who read my blog regularly may remember that it has been about 22 years since I was actually weighed, because none of my providers had a scale that could accommodate my large and immobile body. I was recently hospitalized for a short time, and the bed that was in use in my hospital room actually had a feature that allowed them to weigh me while still in bed. It was a new model of hospital bed that not only included a scale but actually had a built-in air mattress that could provide alternating pressure to prevent pressure sores.

Unfortunately the news about my weight was not what I had hoped to hear. I have apparently been gaining weight continuously since my spinal cord injury in 1988, and might now qualify to be listed on the same chart as some smaller sumo wrestlers.  My snack drawer will not be replenished when it gets cleaned out, and I am cutting back to only two meals per day. That should be plenty when you consider that I have limited opportunities to exercise.

The United States Access Board recently published proposed ADA standards for diagnostic medical equiupment on February 9, 2012  and it is now time to finalize them.. The next step is the convening of a panel of stakeholders of all types to determine what types of equipment are actually accessible, and where improvements are still due.  That is where you have an opportunity to get involved and make a positive difference in the application of the new standards. 

I am pasting the actual e-mail announcement just received from the Access Board in case you can get involved. Please note that the notice states that no one will be reimbursed for expenses. However,  if you do not live in the immediate vicinity of Washington, DC, I would recommend that you call the Access Board directly to see if anything is possible if you really want to get involved. It may not  matter, but if this type of assignment would create a financial hardship for you and you have limited income you should at least make the request.

 Here is that announcement:
"Applications for Medical Diagnostic Equipment Advisory Committee Due April 27
The Access Board is organizing an advisory committee to advance its development of new standards for medical diagnostic equipment and seeks applications from interested parties to serve as committee members. This committee will provide assistance to the Board in finalizing standards for diagnostic equipment it released for public comment in February. Medical device manufacturers, health care providers, disability groups, standard-setting organizations, and other stakeholders are encouraged to apply. Committee membership is voluntary, and members will not be paid or reimbursed for their services.

The deadline for applications is April 27. A notice published by the Board provides further details, including application instructions. For further information, contact Rex Pace at pace@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0023 (v), or (202) 272-0052 (TTY)."

Good luck, and thanks in advance for stepping up to the plate when such opportunities arise.

©  2012 Michael Collins

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