Disability and access needs at study visits

Start with the whole visit

Think through a visit from leaving home to getting back. Where would you park or get dropped off? How far is the walk? Are there steps, heavy doors or long waits standing up? Will there be forms to read and sign?

Each of those points is something a study team can often plan around if they know in advance.

Things people commonly ask for

• Step-free entry and a lift to the right floor.
• A wheelchair waiting at the entrance.
• An accessible bathroom near the test rooms.
• Scales and exam tables that work from a wheelchair.
• A sign language interpreter or written notes.
• Large print, or forms read aloud.
• A quiet room and fewer people at once.
• Room for a support person or a service animal.

Tests that may need planning

Some tests assume you can stand, walk or lie flat for a while. If any of that is hard, ask how the test would be done for you, or whether there is another way to take the same measurement.

Asking is not a sign that you cannot take part. Teams want measurements that are accurate, and the right setup helps with that.

How to ask

Raise access needs at the first call and ask for them to be written into your visit notes. Repeat them when each visit is booked, and bring a short list on the day.

This guide is general information. It is not medical advice, and it does not say whether any study would accept you. Talk to your own doctor about your health.