Accessibility
Accessibility
Callen-Lorde is committed to meeting our patients’ wide variety of accessibility needs and exceeding the minimum requirements set by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to create a welcoming environment. This includes:
Interpreters
All locations have interpretation services available upon request, including American Sign Language (ASL). This also includes all visits that take place virtually through MyChart.
We prioritize in-person ASL/English interpreters for in-person services, with Video Relay Interpreting as back-up. If you let us know an ASL/English interpreter would be beneficial for your visits, we update your chart to automatically request an interpreter for future appointments. We can also make specific requests of interpreters (trilingual, only wearing dark clothing, etc.). Note that our Video Relay Interpreting services can also be used at the front desk or a pharmacy outside of a scheduled appointment.
Additionally, interpretation is available upon request for most Callen-Lorde events, classes and functions.
Accessibility Flags
In our Electronic Health Record system (Epic), we have configured an Accessibility chart flag that can pop up at each time your chart is opened (whether by clinical or administrative staff) to indicate specific accessibility requests.
Some examples of accommodations are:
- Requesting staff wear masks when working with patient
- Requesting Large Print documents when possible
- Requesting staff face the patient when speaking (e.g. to aid with lip-reading)
- Reminding staff to refrain from finishing a patient’s sentence (e.g. if patient has a stutter or other speech disability)
You can send your accessibility flag request via MyChart or text to (718) 841-0032. You can also let any staff member know via phone call or in person. (Please note that if you already regularly utilize an interpreter for your appointments, this is noted in your chart). If further discussion is needed, a member of the Patient Experience Department may reach out to you.
Accessible Documents
We currently have Large Print Registration forms available, and many of our documents in Epic can be printed in a larger font size.
Upon request, we can also provide alternative format documents (such as braille, large print, audio recording, or screenreader-accessible PDF). Please let a staff member know if you would benefit from this, and we will follow up in a timely manner to support you.
MyChart Accessibility
This document describes MyChart compatibility with screen readers, zoom functionality, and visual accommodations for users with low vision or color blindness.
Text Access
Patients can now access our Patient Access Center via text! Patients can communicate bi-directionally with Callen-Lorde for administrative needs—without having to call. This includes appointment scheduling questions, general new patient inquiries, and other non-clinical requests. Monitored hours vary by line, but all lines are available Monday through Friday and are attended to as soon as possible. Please note, bi-directional texting is not currently available for our Behavioral Health Services.
Bronx: 718-808-6340
Brooklyn: 718-550-2201
Chelsea (Adult): 718-841-0032
Dental: 718-550-8094
HOTT: 718-865-2736
LAI: 212-271-7177
Talking Prescription Labels
Talking prescription labels are available at the Callen-Lorde Chelsea pharmacy; patients at all sites can send their prescriptions to Chelsea for this service.
Upon request, the pharmacy will attach a small electronic tag to your prescription container. It has the same information as the printed label. You can then place the medication on the ScripTalk Station Reader and hear the label spoken aloud, or you can download the free app.
Data Collection
We have worked to update our Electronic Health Record to help collect disability data for our patients so that we can better understand our patient population and advocate for your needs. We collect disability status as a demographic that is self-determined by the patient–not connected to official medical diagnosis. If you’re comfortable, we encourage you to share how you identify. It will help inform how we care for you. To review or update this information, you can reach out to any patient care associate.
Transportation Considerations
We aim to make our clinics accessible by public transit when possible. For example, our relocated Bronx office will be much closer to the 149th Street and 3rd Avenue transit hub, where there are many buses and train stations. We also list the closest accessible transportation here [link to directions].
Captioning
We make every effort to have all Callen-Lorde-produced content captioned.
Service Animals
Callen-Lorde is welcoming to individuals with service animals. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Kiosks
Our in-clinic kiosks include braille labels and STORM AudioNav. It is also height adjustable by means of a no-effort paddle switch that activates lift and lowering. Finally, the screen and keyboard are offset to the side to allow better direct access for patients who use wheelchairs.
Callen-Lorde Website Accessibility
We use the UserWay Accessibility widget to increase our website’s accessibility. This widget includes:
- Enabling a screen reader
- Increasing text size
- Increasing color contrast
Press TAB or click on the upper right hand corner of any callen-lorde.org page to access.
Mobility
Locations with smaller waiting areas have spaces indicated and reserved for individuals who use wheelchairs. Due to safety concerns, we are unable to accommodate e-bikes or electric scooters on site. We appreciate your understanding.
Advocacy, Training, and Support
We hold ongoing Disability Operations meetings with our staff meeting to review disability and accessibility concerns within Callen-Lorde.
We work to coordinate care closely with other social services and legal agencies that would benefit our patients with disabilities.
We work to provide internal trainings for our staff around disability clinical and cultural competence.
Our Disability Community Advisory Board is made for and by Callen-Lorde patients who advise on policy, accessibility concerns and more in regular meetings. If you are interested in learning more and/or getting involved, please use the link below.
Contact & Feedback
To further discuss an accessibility request, or to provide feedback on our accessibility services, you can contact us at the link below. Your experience matters, and we are committed to providing a supportive environment for all.