Advocates urge mandatory accessibility in medical facilities; DPH lift fund exists on paper but has no funding

A representative of the Citizens Coalition for Equal Access described a multiyear effort to require accessible diagnostic equipment and to ensure mechanical lifts are available in medical facilities. The advocate said draft legislation is negotiable but has not been raised for a public hearing during recent General Assembly sessions. "There is a fund at the Department of Public Health, creation of a fund that medical facilities could apply to to get a grant to purchase lifts," the speaker said, adding that "the funding for the fund that was voted by the general assembly was 0."

Advocates at the meeting argued that grants alone are insufficient and that accessibility should be a requirement; they urged RDAC to support inclusive‑design approaches for new construction and raised concerns about the costs and the need for federal alignment on standards. RDAC members responded that they are interested in continuing the conversation, sharing resources and inviting state officials to brief the council on how the fund and any regulatory options might be implemented.