To ensure accessibility of records for patients with disabilities, which actions are appropriate?

To ensure accessibility of records for patients with disabilities, which actions are appropriate?

• A. Limit access to only on-site paper charts.
• B. Deny access to portal users with disabilities.
• C. Avoid implementing security controls.
• D. Provide accessible formats or portals, offer assistance, and ensure compliant security controls.

Answer: (D)

Ensuring access to health records for people with disabilities means making information usable without compromising privacy and security. The best approach is to provide records in accessible formats or through accessible patient portals, offer staff-assisted help to use those options, and maintain security controls that meet privacy requirements. This covers readers and users who rely on screen readers, large print, Braille, audio formats, or other assistive technologies, while still protecting sensitive information with proper authentication, authorization, encryption, and audit trails. Limiting access to on-site paper charts excludes individuals who cannot travel or who need digital access, denying portal access to disabled users creates unnecessary barriers, and skipping security controls would put patient information at risk.

Ensuring access to health records for people with disabilities means making information usable without compromising privacy and security. The best approach is to provide records in accessible formats or through accessible patient portals, offer staff-assisted help to use those options, and maintain security controls that meet privacy requirements. This covers readers and users who rely on screen readers, large print, Braille, audio formats, or other assistive technologies, while still protecting sensitive information with proper authentication, authorization, encryption, and audit trails.

Limiting access to on-site paper charts excludes individuals who cannot travel or who need digital access, denying portal access to disabled users creates unnecessary barriers, and skipping security controls would put patient information at risk.