US to target medical barriers to disabled people

WASHINGTON – Federal prosecutors across the nation will spearhead a new effort designed to guarantee physical access for disabled people to all medical buildings and to ensure the disabled are not discriminated against in receiving potentially lifesaving medical information.

Another goal of the Barrier-Free Health Care Initiative will be to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing gain access to medical information in a manner that is understandable to them. U.S. attorney offices nationwide will work with the Justice Department's civil rights division to carry out the initiative.

Thursday's announcement by the Justice Department comes on the 22nd anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which was passed on July 26, 1990.