Fact Sheet: Healthcare

Healthcare Needs To Be More Accessible and Welcoming

Healthcare is critical for quality of life. But people who are blind or have low vision may face access barriers in healthcare settings, whether they are patients or supporting their loved ones. Researchers from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have looked at some of these barriers and developed best-practice recommendations for healthcare providers and hospital staff.

What AFB’s Research Found

Various AFB studies revealed a number of factors that made healthcare access more difficult for people who are blind or have low vision.

Printed and electronic medical paperwork, information, and forms aren’t always accessible. This means people who are blind or low vision can’t read or fill out documents, even with tools or technology that helps them read printed or online materials.

In AFB’s hospital focus group study, participants said they had problems filling out paper forms or reading their hospital discharge instructions.
In AFB’s Barriers to Digital Inclusion survey, most participants said they use websites to read their test results and other medical records. But 78% had problems accessing the information on those websites at least some of the time.
Touch-screen kiosks that patients use to check in for medical appointments can be hard for people who are blind and low vision to use, because they often have no speech output. In AFB’s Barriers to Digital Inclusion diary study, some participants said they could not use these kiosks and had to ask other patients for help.
Telehealth can be helpful for people who are blind or have low vision, so they can receive care from home instead of traveling to a doctor’s office. But telehealth platforms (websites and apps) are not always accessible. In AFB’s Barriers to Digital Inclusion survey, 79% of respondents had problems with telehealth websites and 72% had problems with telehealth apps, at least some of the time.

Transportation has its problems, too.

Getting rides to medical appointments can be hard for people who do not drive. In AFB’s Project VISITOR study of older adults, 60% used paratransit to get to and from medical appointments. Paratransit is a group ride service for people who can’t easily use public transportation. It can run behind schedule and may only be available during limited hours. This makes it hard for people who are blind or low vision to schedule and keep medical appointments.
AFB’s Journey Forward study, which was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, found that many COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites were not set up for people who do not drive.

Experiences with healthcare facilities and staff could be better.

At medical office buildings or hospitals (which may be on large campuses), people who are blind or have low vision may need help finding the right office, especially if they are not feeling well. In AFB’s hospital focus group study, participants said they sometimes need an escort, but healthcare staff should ask if and how they need assistance instead of making assumptions.
Doctors, nurses, and other health providers are not always sure how to communicate well with a patient or caregiver who is blind or has low vision. In AFB’s hospital focus group study, participants said healthcare providers should identify themselves, speak to them directly, explain what they will be doing, and be respectful.

One participant said, “I want doctors to treat me with respect, consult me, and listen to me. Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I’m not like everyone else. Don’t assume that I can’t take care of myself because I will.”