28 CFR Part 35 · Subpart I — Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment
§ 35.213 Qualified staff
Last updated June 11, 2026
What 28 CFR §35.213 requires of state and local governments.
In Plain Language
Having accessible medical diagnostic equipment is not sufficient if staff do not know how to use it properly or how to assist patients with disabilities safely. Public entities must ensure that staff are trained to operate accessible equipment and to assist with transfers and positioning of patients with disabilities. Staff training is an integral part of accessible health service delivery — the equipment and the people who use it must both be prepared.
This summary is educational, not legal advice. The official text below controls.
Official Regulatory Text — 28 CFR § 35.213
Verbatim from 28 CFR Part 35, current through June 9, 2026.
Public entities must ensure their staff are able to successfully operate accessible MDE, assist with transfers and positioning of individuals with disabilities, and carry out the program access obligation regarding existing MDE.
What § 35.213 Means in Practice
- Accessible equipment is useless without trained people: staff must be qualified to operate accessible MDE and assist with transfers and positioning
- Qualified staff must be available whenever services using MDE are offered, not just on certain shifts
- Training should cover the accessibility features of the equipment, lift and transfer techniques, and disability etiquette
- Document staff training as part of your self-evaluation under §35.105
Common Questions
Who needs to be trained?
Any staff member who operates diagnostic equipment or assists patients — clinical staff, medical assistants, technicians.
Is manufacturer training sufficient?
It is a starting point. Training should also cover disability-specific considerations, transfer techniques, and patient communication for people with various disabilities.
Does § 35.213 apply to your entity?
You don’t need to fix everything today. You need to know what matters first. We’ll help you find it.
Prefer to talk it through? Call the Title II Line: (608) 960-8830