We design healthcare experiences
The U-M Center for Disability Health and Wellness (U-M CDHW) is focused addressing healthcare disparities and enhancing the access to quality health care for people with disabilities across the life span. We do this by conducting research; offering direct clinical services; providing training to providers, trainees, patients, and families; and partnering with the community. At this time, we do not have a direct role in providing oversight in the systems that provide resources or supports to patients and insuring their accessibility to outpatients with disabilities. Through this page, we hope to provide you with information about the supports that do exist and the departments and offices that can provide you with support.
Patient Accessibility Resources
As one of the country’s leading healthcare providers, Michigan Medicine wants our patients and their families to have an excellent and satisfying experience. We’re also committed to providing patients with easy access to all our clinical facilities, especially for those who live with a disability. If you as a patient or caregiver face barriers to accessing our clinical services, we want to know about it. The offices and individuals below can provide you with assistance. In addition, we encourage you to reach out directly to any clinics and providers that you have appointments with, to let them know about the disability accommodations you require for an appointment.
The Center for Disability Health and Wellness, together with the Michigan Medicine’s Office of Patient Experience and multiple community organizations, has developed a Human Guide program. Also referred to as sighted guides, these specially trained volunteers can help blind patients and visitors navigate Michigan Medicine facilities.
For Blind, Low Vision, or Vision Impaired Patients:
- If you are a patient seeking Human Guide services, also called sighted guide, please complete the Disability and Accommodations Tab questionnaire in your MyUofMHealth patient portal and contact your clinic’s front desk.
- To learn more about Orientation and Mobility training, please contact the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons or Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Brief Video Training
Anyone can take our training to learn about providing human guide for people who are blind. You can access the training module, which will take you to a brief pre-training survey, let you watch the training video, and then take a post-test training survey and evaluation.
Review the human guide video training here.
Get Recognized for Your Commitment
Michigan Medicine providers, staff, and volunteers can be recognized for their commitment to improving accessibility for patients and visitors who are blind. After accessing the training module, you will take a brief pre-training survey, watch the training video, and then take a post-training survey and evaluation. The first 400 Michigan Medicine affiliates to complete the training will receive a Human Guide at Michigan Medicine lapel pin.
Not at Michigan Medicine? Don’t worry, we will still recognize your completion by emailing you a certificate of attendance.
Human Guide at Michigan Medicine Program Partners
The following individuals and organizations provided content and support for the Human Guide at Michigan Medicine program.
- Quinlan Davis, Michigan Medicine Office of Patient Experience
- Christa Moran, Michigan Medicine Interpreter Services
- Will Purves and Mark Hymes, Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston
- Lori Board, TVI, COMS
- Leader Dogs for the Blind
Note on Language: We use the term blind in an all-inclusive manner to include the diverse group of people who may identify as blind, DeafBlind, low vision, or vision impaired.
As a Michigan Medicine patient, you have the right to express any concerns you may have. Patient Relations is the destination for patients and families when your healthcare experience fails to meet your expectations.
The Office of Patient Relations wants and needs your feedback, comments, and questions so that Michigan Medicine can improve the services and supports that we provide for you and for future patients. After you speak to them, they will work to address your concerns or questions.
Download the Patient Relations Brochure (PDF)
Phone: (734) 936-4330 or toll-free at (877) 285-7788. Monday-Friday 8a.m. - 4p.m.
Interpreter Services provides Medical Interpreters to all Michigan Medicine hospitals, clinics and health centers. The service is free of charge to both patients and providers. Our Medical Interpreters are highly qualified and carefully screened. Interpreters can be requested 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, or if you are hard of hearing, please ask the receptionist to schedule a Medical Interpreter when you make your next appointment. We accept appointment requests up to a year in advance.
Interpreter Services - Main Office
Address: 2025 Traverwood Drive, Suite A4 Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 936-7021
Email: [email protected]
Michigan Medicine complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. We also do not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
If you believe that Michigan Medicine has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex, you can file a grievance with:
Patient Civil Rights Coordinator, Michigan Medicine
Address: 2901 Hubbard Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2435
Phone: (734) 936-6439
Email: [email protected]
As part of Michigan Medicine’s commitment to improving the experience of our patients and families, the Office of Patient Experience was formally established in December 2016 to leverage best practices and resources across the institution and increase the value we provide within the health system. Michigan Medicine strives for a patient-centered culture where patients and families are empowered to have a voice in the management and delivery of their care. As patients and family members, you are at the center of your health care team. That nothing is done to you or for you without your involvement. Where your concerns and questions are answered with respect and empathy.
Patients, families, faculty, staff and students have numerous opportunities to volunteer their time and work closely with the Office of Patient Experience:
The University of Michigan is committed to supporting people with accessibility needs and making our websites and patient surveys more accessible to everyone. If you have problems with technology accessibility, which also includes filling out patient surveys such as the Press Ganey Survey, please contact:
Phil Deaton, Digital Information Accessibility Coordinator, Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX (ECRT)
Email: [email protected]
Learn more about U-M IT Accessibility Efforts
The Office for Health Equity & Inclusion (OHEI) develops mechanisms for inclusion, diversity, and cultural sensitivity among faculty, students, and staff at Michigan Medicine. Their mission is to champion diversity and inclusion for our patients, our community, and society.
Address: 5101 Medical Sciences I Building, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5604
Phone: (734) 764-8185
Fax: (734) 615-4828
Email: [email protected]
The Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX (ECRT) Office oversees, facilitates, and supports the University’s efforts to ensure equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, height, weight, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions to the University of Michigan. Staff can access this resource to address issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessibility issues. Please contact:
Address: 2072 Administrative Services 1009 Greene Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1432
Phone: (734) 763-0235
Fax: (734) 936-8894
TTY: (734) 647-1388
General email: [email protected]
ADA Team: [email protected]
Clinical Work
The U-M CDHW recognizes the importance of tailoring care to the needs and abilities of individuals with disabilities. U-M CDHW members work to foster innovative, multidisciplinary clinical care and best practices that also address the psychosocial needs of those with disabilities. Our various medical clinics include:
The UM Deaf Health Clinic at the Dexter Health Center is one of the very few clinics nationwide that focuses on the primary care needs of deaf and hard of hearing patients, including Deaf American Sign Language users. It is the only clinic of its kind in Michigan that provides accessible services for this population. The Deaf Health Clinic provides full spectrum primary care services, including prenatal and obstetric care, as well as in-person and virtual mental health services. Established in 2016, the clinic has served as a model for best practices in both ensuring accessibility and tailoring clinical approaches to helping those with disability health issues.
Located at the Kellogg Eye Center, the Low Vision clinic provides comprehensive vision rehabilitation care for those with low vision. The clinic includes low vision optometrists, an occupational therapist trained in vision rehabilitation, and an orientation and mobility specialist.
The Gynecologic Care for Adolescents and Women with Disabilities clinic is for adolescents and women with disabilities and is located on the ninth floor of Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. The hospital's address is 1540 E. Hospital Drive in Ann Arbor. Susan Dwyer Ernst, M.D., is the director of this clinic, as well as a faculty member of the U-M CDHW. She specializes in reproductive healthcare for adolescents and women with disabilities, adolescent gynecology and college health. Additionally, Dr. Ernst is director of the University Health Service Gynecology and Sexual Health Clinic on the main campus at the University of Michigan, located at 207 Fletcher Street in Ann Arbor. She cares for U-M students, including those with disabilities, for their gynecologic care and sexual health needs.
The Von Voigtlander Gynecology clinic also includes Mieke Beckman, LMSW, CST, a social worker and sexual health counselor who offers resources and education to patients and families regarding topics such as managing puberty, appropriate social boundaries, safety, healthy relationships, sexual health, and sexual assault prevention. You can review the full list of Sex Education Resources here.
Learn more about the Gynecologic Care for Adolescents and Women with Disabilities Clinic
The Delta Dental Integrated Special Care Clinic is reserved for those patients 16 years and older for whom existing options in the School of Dentistry may not be adequate. The clinic helps those with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, acquired cognitive disabilities including dementia; progressive neurologic conditions; physical disabilities that limit mobility, vision, hearing; chronic and complex medical problems.
Learn more about the Delta Dental Integrated Special Care Clinic
C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital Pediatric Dentistry treats patients from birth to 16 years of age who are medically compromised, physically and/or mentally challenged, and who present oral diseases.
Learn more about the C.S. Mott's Children's Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
The University of Michigan Medical School was among the first major institutions in the nation to organize and develop an independent Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. It offers patient care for those with disabilities, including specialty clinics that focus on amputee care; brain injury and concussion; pediatric rehabilitation; rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology; and spinal cord injuries, among others.
The Michigan Adapted Cognitive Assessment Clinic largely serves patients who are unable to readily point or provide verbal responses though other patients participate in MACAC testing when appropriate. Individuals seen in the MACAC are commonly diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy and brain injury though any patient requiring this specialized testing will be considered for evaluation regardless of diagnosis.
Learn more about the Michigan Adapted Cognitive Assessment Clinic
At Michigan Medicine, our goal is to provide the best health care experience possible for all patients and their families. If we fall short of patients' expectations, we want to know about it. Please call (734) 936-4330 or toll-free at (877) 285-7788 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. We also have a dedicated web page for patient concerns.
Lower Level Suite 6,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
