Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Patient and Visitor Resources >
  • Information for Patients >
  • Disabilities Resource Center >
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Patient and Visitor Resources
Safe Haven Program
Patient Portals
Pre-Registration
Classes and Events
Traveling Patients
Patient Education
Food and Nutrition Services
Information for Patients
Thank A Nurse
Waitlist
Before Your Appointment, Surgery, or Procedure
During Your Stay
After Your Stay
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Forms
Resources for LGBTQ+ Patients, Caregivers
Civil Rights Grievances
Advance Care Planning
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Patient Relations
Disabilities Resource Center
Let UPMC Help You (LUHU)
Disability Departments
Community Resources
Support Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Flu - Frequently Asked Questions
Inpatient vs. Observation Status - Frequently Asked Questions
Information for Visitors
Medical Records
Paying My Bill
Privacy Information
Shared Decision Making
Ecards
Patient and Visitor Resources
Safe Haven Program
Patient Portals
Pre-Registration
Classes and Events
Traveling Patients
Patient Education
Food and Nutrition Services
Information for Patients
Thank A Nurse
Waitlist
Before Your Appointment, Surgery, or Procedure
During Your Stay
After Your Stay
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Patient Forms
Resources for LGBTQ+ Patients, Caregivers
Civil Rights Grievances
Advance Care Planning
Patient and Family Advisory Council
Patient Relations
Disabilities Resource Center
Let UPMC Help You (LUHU)
Disability Departments
Community Resources
Support Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Flu - Frequently Asked Questions
Inpatient vs. Observation Status - Frequently Asked Questions
Information for Visitors
Medical Records
Paying My Bill
Privacy Information
Shared Decision Making
Ecards

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Resources at UPMC

Do you know:

  • How to best prepare for an upcoming hospital stay?
  • What types of disability resources we offer at UPMC hospitals?
  • Who to ask if you need accommodations for a disability?

For answers to these and other common questions, see the frequently asked questions about our general disability resources below. You can also see disability-specific FAQ's by looking below the general FAQ's on this page.

If you have any questions that aren't addressed on this page, please contact us.


General FAQ

  • Tell hospital staff about any accommodation needs, such as a communication board, interpreter, transfer board, etc.
  • Please mark all personal belongings with your name and contact information in the event that the items are lost or misplaced. Please understand that you are responsible for all personal items brought to the facility.
  • If bringing a service animal, make plans for someone to feed, water, and toilet the animal while you are in the hospital. Service animals are allowed unless the animal is not under control and the owner/handler does not take strong, useful action to control it. All service animals must be housebroken.

No. The health care provider or facility provides accommodations free of charge.

If you require help, ask when scheduling hospital stays or appointments (as well as follow-up appointments):

Hospital Admissions

  • If your hospital visit begins in the emergency department, ask for help when you come to the hospital. If you have a service animal and you have questions, please ask for help at this time as well.
  • If your hospital visit is scheduled, tell the admissions staff (ex: the scheduler or receptionist) and your health care provider ahead of your stay or visit.
  • If you are in the hospital, ask your nurse. If they cannot help you, contact Patient Relations.

Surgical Scheduling

  • Tell your surgeon and the surgery scheduler.

Office Visits

  • Tell the scheduler or receptionist and your health care provider
  • Check with your health care team a few days before your appointment to make sure any needed accommodations have been arranged.

If you are scheduling a visit or stay at a UPMC hospital, you can call the Disabilities Resource Center to learn more about taking part in the Let Us Help You (LUHU) program. Through this patient care coordination program, the Center will work with you and the hospital to pre-schedule communication assistance and accommodations ahead of your stay or visit. 

Call the Center at 412-605-1483 for more information.

Tell the staff right away if you feel that your disability related needs are not being met, and ask for other help.

MyUPMC
MyUPMC is an electronic portal to help you communicate with your doctor’s office and access your medical records through your computer or tablet. 

  • Learn more at MyUPMC.

Ask a person on your health care team, such as the:

  • Nurse or unit director
  • Social worker
  • Case manager
  • Your doctor
  • Other health care providers based on your health issue
  • Patient Relations Department
  • The Disabilities Resource Center at 412-605-1483 or disabilitiesresource@upmc.edu

Make sure you know who you are asking for help. Not all UPMC employees who are wearing medical scrubs or a uniform are the right people to help you.

If an accommodation is needed to give equal access to public services or to take part in a health care experience, reasonable accommodations will be given at no cost. These may include a sign language interpreter, help with navigation, large print materials, and so on.

Back to top


FAQs by Disability Type

What types of communication assistance or accommodation are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • Quiet exam room (with dimmed lights)
  • Lower number of staff present during the visit (when applicable)
  • Communication board or other visual aids
  • More time to explain and do exams
  • Allow for videos/music during the visit (when applicable)
  • iPad with communication apps
  • Picture storyboards for certain procedures (X-ray, CT Scan, MRI, Phlebotomy, Stitches)
  • Interpreters

What types of communication assistance or accommodation are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • Braille text (key Braille documents are available-please check with staff about the translation of other texts into a Braille version)
  • High-contrast, bold pen/markers
  • Assistance with navigation
  • Large print materials(key large print documents are available - please check with staff about the translation of other texts into large print)
  • Magnification devices
  • Signature guides
  • Tactile interpreters for those who are Deaf-Blind

What types of communication assistance are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters
  • Oral interpreters
  • Foreign language interpreters
  • Tactile interpreters for those who are Deaf-Blind
  • iPad with video relay service (VRS) and other communication apps
  • Video relay interpreting services (VRI)
  • Teletype (TTY) phones
  • Communication cards/boards
  • Telephone handset amplifiers
  • Assistive listening toolkits (TTY phone, phone signaler, door knocker, personal amplification device, and sound signaler)

Can I use a family member or a friend as an interpreter?

  • Family and friends should not be used as interpreters.
  • Family and friends may be unreliable as interpreters because they tend to be too emotionally involved and may not have the medical training needed to accurately interpret the conversation.
  • Using your family member or friend raises confidentiality and HIPAA concerns.
  • A better choice would be to have your family member or friend there for the conversation with a qualified interpreter. Interpretation is provided to patients at no cost.

What else can I do to make sure I get the help that I need?

Accommodation Card - If you have hearing loss, make a HealthBridges Accommodation Card by clicking here. Complete and print the card so you can give it to your health care team in case you can’t communicate due to your medical issue.

Can I bring my assistive technology device or service animal to the hospital with me?

  • Yes. Put your name and contact information on your assistive devices. You are responsible for these items and assume all risk connected to them.
  • Service animals are allowed unless the animal is not under control and the owner/handler does not take strong, useful action to control it. All service animals must be housebroken.
  • If bringing a service animal, arrange for someone to feed, water, and toilet the animal during your stay

How can I stop getting automated appointment reminders by phone?

Tell the front desk staff if you do not want to get automated messages from AudioCare. MyUPMC is a great way to communicate with your doctor’s office about appointments, prescriptions, and test results.

  • Learn more at MyUPMC.

What types of communication assistance or accommodations are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • Quiet exam room (with dimmed lights)
  • Lower number of staff present during the visit (when applicable)
  • Communication board or other visual aids
  • More time to explain and conduct exams
  • Allow for videos/music during the visit (when applicable)
  • iPad with communication apps
  • Providing detailed instructions (orally and/or in writing)
  • Providing reminder cards and/or reminder calls (for next appointment)
  • Storyboards for certain procedures (X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI, Phlebotomy, Stitches)
  • Interpreters

What types of accommodations are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • Accessible exam/treatment/inpatient rooms
  • Assistance with self-care tasks such as eating, bathing, and toileting
  • Assistance with patient transfer
  • Accessible parking and accessible restrooms
  • Accessible medical equipment, including:
    • Beds
    • Mechanical lifts/transfer boards
    • Accessible call bells
    • Wheelchair scale
    • Pressure relief mattress
    • Positioning trapeze

UPMC is committed to giving the best care possible to patients who have a service animal, making sure that all patients, visitors, and guests have equal access to health care.

Can I bring my service animal to the hospital with me?

Yes. Service animals are allowed in the hospital unless the animal is not under control and the owner/handler does not take strong, useful action to control it. All service animals must be housebroken.

Can my service animal accompany me in all areas of the hospital?

Yes. Service animals are allowed anywhere the general public is allowed. However, this does not apply to sterile settings such as a Burn Unit, Operating Room or Intensive Care Unit.

Will hospital staff help to care for my service animal?

No. If you are unable to care for the animal yourself, you must choose another person to feed, water, and toilet the animal during your stay. Staff are not responsible.

What if I am unable to care for my service animal and cannot choose another person to do so?

If there is nobody to care for the animal, the animal will have to be taken home or temporarily placed in a kennel. If taken to a kennel, it is at owner’s expense.

Are there any other reasons I may not be able to have my service animal at the hospital?

Yes. If the service animal is aggressive, growling or otherwise not under control of its owner/handler, it will not be permitted to stay. It will also not be permitted to stay if it is not housebroken.

Will staff ask me questions about my service animal?

Yes. Staff will need to verify that your animal is needed because of your disability and will need to know what tasks it has been trained to perform for you.

Does my service animal have to be on a leash or harness?

Yes. Exceptions can be made if leash/harness interferes with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents the use of those devices. In these cases, animal must be controlled through voice, signal or other effective controls.

Who is permitted to bring a service animal to the hospital?

Both patients and visitors with disabilities are permitted to bring their service animals to the hospital.

What types of communication assistance or accommodation are available at UPMC hospitals?

  • Communication boards
  • Interpreters
  • iPad with communication apps
  • Pen and paper/dry erase boards

Back to top


Contact the Center

UPMC Disabilities Resource Center
Forbes Tower
Suite 7015
3600 Forbes at Meyran Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: 412-605-1483
Fax: 412-647-8401

Email the Disabilities Resource Center

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More Disability Resources

  • Disabilities Resource Center Brochure (PDF).
  • Disability Resources for Patients at UPMC Hospitals (PDF).

Downloadable FAQ Resources by Disability Type

  • Autism FAQs (PDF)
  • Blind and Low Vision FAQs (PDF)
  • Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing FAQs (PDF)
  • Intellectual and Cognitive Disabilities FAQs (PDF)
  • Mobility Disabilities FAQs (PDF)
  • Service Animals FAQs (PDF)
  • Speech Impairment FAQs (PDF)
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login