Disability and reasonable adjustments
Adapt communication, timing, environment, access and support to enable equitable care. Ask what works for the person rather than assuming.
Understand
Reasonable adjustments can include accessible communication, longer appointments, sensory changes, mobility support or different consent materials. Ask the person rather than assuming their needs.
Assess
Identify communication preferences, support, capacity for a particular decision and past experiences. Speak directly to the patient even when a carer is present.
Apply
Agree an individual plan and record what worked. Escalate to a special care service when required equipment, expertise or environment exceeds the setting.
Key distinctions
Disability is not synonymous with incapacity. Communication adjustments can include visual aids, extra time, an interpreter, sensory accommodations or supported positioning. Ask the person what they prefer and document it for future visits. If complex treatment cannot be delivered safely in the present setting, a specialist referral should explain the specific support needed rather than simply label the patient.
Think through a case
A patient with autism requests a quiet early appointment and a written sequence of steps. These small adjustments enable safe care without changing the clinical standard.
The distinction to remember
Do not talk only to a support person when the patient can communicate their own preferences.
Test your recall
What is a useful first question?
Show answer
What adjustments help this person communicate and receive care?