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Questions to ask before you go
These are the accessibility questions worth asking about this listing, with the most useful ones first. Ask them however suits you — by phone, email, text, or a contact form. You never have to explain your disability to get an answer.
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Ask these first — can you be seen at all?
A practice can be perfectly accessible and still be a wasted trip if the panel is closed or they don't take your coverage. Anything we already hold is shown with the date it was confirmed — it changes often, so confirm it rather than relying on it.
“Are you taking new patients right now?”
If they are not, ask whether there is a waiting list and how long it usually is — and whether a referral changes the answer.
“Do you accept Medicaid?”
If they say yes, ask whether that covers my specific Medicaid plan — managed-care plans are not all the same — and whether they are taking new Medicaid patients, which can differ from taking new patients generally.
“Do you accept Medicare?”
If they say yes, ask whether they accept assignment, so I know whether I will be billed the difference.
“Do you offer telehealth appointments?”
If they say yes, ask whether that is open to new patients or established patients only — the two often differ — and whether the first appointment has to be in person.
“Are you in network for my insurance? I can give you the plan name and member ID.”
Ask them to check the specific plan, not just the insurer — "we take Blue Cross" and "we are in network for your Blue Cross plan" are different answers. Get the name of whoever confirmed it.
Worth asking
The community can't answer these for you yet — that's exactly why they're here.
Accessible parking
“Is there marked accessible parking, and how far is it from the entrance?”
If they say yes, ask whether it is van-accessible (the wider space with the striped area beside it), and whether there is a curb cut between it and the door.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Accessible restroom present
“Do you have a wheelchair-accessible restroom that customers can use?”
If they say yes, ask whether the doorway is wide enough for a wheelchair, and whether anything is being stored inside it.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
ASL interpreter arranged on request
“I need an ASL interpreter for my appointment. Can you arrange one, at no cost to me?”
Ask how much notice they need, and get the booking confirmed in writing. Under the ADA, arranging and paying for the interpreter is the provider’s responsibility, not yours — and a family member is not a substitute.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Audio-only appointment allowed
“Can I take the appointment by phone, without video?”
If they say video only, ask why — and whether an exception can be made. Audio-only is often allowed but not offered unless you ask.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Captions turned on for video screens
“Are the captions turned on for your TVs or video screens?”
If they do not know, ask whether staff can turn captions on when someone asks.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Communicated directly with me
“If I come with someone else, will your staff speak to me directly rather than to them?”
It is fair to say this plainly when you arrive: please talk to me, not to the person with me.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Height-adjustable exam table
“Do you have an exam table that lowers, so I can transfer onto it from my wheelchair?”
If they say yes, ask how low it goes, and whether someone working on the day of my appointment knows how to operate it.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Quieter space to wait
“Is there a quieter place to wait, away from noise and crowds?”
If there is not, ask whether I can wait outside or in a car, and be texted or fetched when it is my turn.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Seating available while waiting
“Is there somewhere to sit while waiting, and roughly how long is the wait?”
If seating is limited, ask whether I can be seated when I arrive rather than standing in a queue.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Service animal welcomed
“I use a service animal. Will there be any problem bringing them in?”
If they hesitate: staff may only ask two things — whether the animal is required because of a disability, and what task it is trained to do. They may not ask what your disability is, ask to see documentation, or charge you extra.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Staff explained things in plain language
“If I need something explained in plain language, or help filling in a form, will staff do that?”
If they say yes, ask whether I can have extra time, and take the instructions away in writing rather than having to remember them.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Staff knew how to use accessible equipment
“Will someone working on the day of my appointment be trained to use your accessible equipment?”
If they are not sure, ask them to check the schedule — or to book me for a time when that person is in.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Staff read printed information aloud
“If I cannot read your printed menu or forms, will staff read them to me?”
If they say yes, ask whether forms can also be sent ahead of time in a format a screen reader can read.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Staff will communicate in writing
“Are your staff willing to communicate in writing — notes, or typing on a phone or tablet?”
If they say yes, ask whether that applies at the front desk too, not only once someone has taken me aside.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Step-free entrance
“Is there a way in without any steps — either level with the sidewalk, or a ramp?”
If they say yes, ask whether that is the main door or a different one, and whether it is kept unlocked while you are open.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Telehealth captions or interpreter worked
“For a video appointment, can you turn on captions, or have an ASL interpreter join the call?”
Ask how far ahead they need to book the interpreter, and get it confirmed in writing. Arranging it is the provider’s responsibility, not yours — the same as for an in-person appointment.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Telehealth platform worked with my screen reader
“Which platform do you use for video appointments, and does it work with a screen reader?”
Ask for the name of the platform so I can test it before the appointment, and ask what happens if it does not work on the day — whether they will switch to phone rather than cancel.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
Wheelchair-accessible scale
“Do you have a scale I can use without standing — one I can roll onto, or a seated scale?”
If they say no, ask whether my weight can be recorded another way, or taken somewhere else, rather than skipped or guessed.
Nobody has reported on this at all.
After you go
Whatever you find out, other disabled visitors need to know it — a plain “no, there were two steps” is as valuable as a yes. Report your visit.
Some questions above mention what the ADA requires. That's general information to help you ask, not legal advice.