The Arc of Illinois

June 18, 2010

Leaders in The Arc:

Our friends at Access Living and Equip for Equality are doing a Hospital Access Study and asking us to share this survey. This survey is for people with disabilities of all ages who live in Chicago or the collar counties.

Please assist them and share this information with other advocates.

Tony Paulauski

The Arc of Illinois

815-464-1832

HOSPITAL ACCESS STUDY 

Do you need better medical care?  Are you a person with a disability?  You may be able to help us with a hospital project. We will look at hospitals in six Illinois counties. These counties are Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and McHenry counties.

People with disabilities often have problems getting medical care. The problem can be physical.  It can also be about attitudes or communication.  Here are some examples of problems.

For people who have trouble moving and use a wheelchair or scooter: Small exam rooms that make it hard to move around. No equipment to help you onto an exam table. Exam tables that are too high.  

For people who cant talk, have problems speaking or people who have a mental illness: Waiting a long time between the day you make an appointment and the day you see a doctor.  Being told to see a pediatrician, even if you are an adult. Being sent home early by the hospital.

For people who are blind or have low vision:  Being told that your service animal is not allowed. Not being able to get information in accessible formats. Not having signs in Braille or with raised letters.

For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing: No American Sign Language interpreters to help you. Not being offered assistive listening devices. Doctors and staff using your family members to speak with you.

Do you or your loved ones have a disability? Are you willing to share your experiences in hospitals in these counties? Please contact Judy, Sarah or Andrs. 

Judy Panko Reis, Access Living, (312) 640-2184, toll free (800) 613-8549, toll free TTY (888) 253-7003 or email: jreis@accessliving.org.

Sarah Price, Equip for Equality, (312) 341-0022, ext. 7339, toll free 800-537-2632, ext. 7339, toll free TTY 800-610-2779, or email: sarah@equipforequality.org.  

Andrs J. Gallegos, Robbins, Salomon and Patt, Ltd., (312) 456-0381 or email: agallegos@rsplaw.com.

All conversations are private and confidential.