01/06/2026
NEW ADA STANDARDS: What healthcare facilities need to know to be fully compliant this year
New federal standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment took effect on September 23, 2024. The U.S. Access Board now requires exam and procedure chairs to meet a maximum low seat height of 17 inches, along with defined dimensions for transfer surfaces, transfer supports, leg support, and base clearance.
While the DOJ has not yet mandated the 17-inch requirement, enforcement of the 2017 ADA standard remains in place. As of October 8, 2024:
✅ Ten percent of MDE in general facilities must be compliant
✅ Twenty percent in rehab facilities serving mobility-impaired patients must comply
✅ At least one unit per facility must meet the standard
✅ Full compliance is required by August 9, 2026
These updates reinforce the need for accessible, future-ready equipment. Chairs like the FusionFREEDOM™, designed to meet modern transfer-height and support criteria, help facilities stay aligned with evolving federal expectations while improving patient access.
https://www.umfmedical.com/product/the-fusionfreedom-chair-meets-ada-standards-with-a-17in-low-seat-height/