HRSA Section 504 Disability Rule — Medical Equipment Accessibility Deadline Aug 2026 (Distinct from WCAG Track)

RegLantern published a compliance brief reminding FQHCs that the HHS Section 504 Final Rule includes obligations beyond the already-tracked May 11, 2027 WCAG 2.1AA web accessibility deadline: accessible medical diagnostic equipment (height-adjustable exam tables, accessible weight scales — phased compliance by July 8, 2026); value assessment prohibitions (cannot use QALY-based clinical decision-support tools that disadvantage disabled patients); and effective communication requirements (ASL interpreters, accessible written materials). The medical equipment piece is the underdiscussed half — most FQHC compliance officers have focused on the website deadline and may have missed the physical exam-equipment phase-in. Average accessible exam table runs $4-8K replacement cost × typical 8-15 exam rooms per FQHC = $50-120K per site capital exposure. CA FQHCs with multiple sites should budget now. OCR complaint risk rises post-deadline.