Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

RWJBarnabas Health provides free aids and services to enable people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us.

Our goal is to provide the best quality care. Better communication means we can respond more quickly to patients’ needs, explain things more clearly, help patients understand their treatment plans, help ease pain, and ensure more efficient and effective recovery.

For Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Patients

We provide free auxiliary aids and services to patients who are deaf or hearing impaired. Services include:

• Sign language interpreter. Patients who communicate through sign language may be provided a qualified interpreter free of charge who will work with the patient and the health care team if requested.
• Special equipment. Patients receiving care in an RWJBarnabas Health hospital who have special hearing needs related to telephone equipment should speak to a nurse. Accommodations may be made to amplify the sound or provide a TTY telecommunication keyboard.

For Blind and Visually Impaired Patients

For patients who have visual impairments or who are blind, we offer accommodations including:

• Accessible formats for written information. We can provide written information in multiple formats, including large print, audio, and accessible electronic formats.
• Aira Smartphone App. Aira is an app that connects people who are blind or have low vision to highly trained, remotely located human agents. When patients or visitors are onsite at a RWJBarnabas Health facility, Aira is available to them free of charge. This app is enabled by a geofence around the facility that Aira creates and maintains. The only requirement to take advantage of this is to have the Aira app installed.

For People with Mobility Challenges

RWJBarnabas Health medical facilities provide individuals with disabilities equal access to health care and services. For patients with mobility disabilities — for example, those who use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or crutches — we have ramps, elevators, accessible bathroom facilities, and medical equipment. We accommodate people of varying abilities.

For People With Developmental Disabilities and Mental and Behavioral Challenges

We offer a robust gamut of health services for developmentally disabled individuals, from children to adults.

Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children facing special health challenges — from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities to a full scope of developmental, behavioral and mental health concerns. With 15 different New Jersey locations, CSH includes one state-of-the-art inpatient facility in New Brunswick, numerous outpatient facilities covering an array of programs and services and a long-term care facility, which provides exceptional care for children with complex medical conditions who cannot be cared for at home.

For patients with autism and anxiety disorders, some RWJBarnabas Health hospitals offer sensory rooms in the Emergency Department that offer a soothing environment designed to help patients relax during Emergency Department visits.

We also offer a variety of Mental and Behavioral Health services. Our evidence-based behavioral health programs not only help patients address the challenges they currently face, but also help them thrive and maintain good health.

Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at RWJBarnabas Health.