Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2024

46 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

for compliance with the ADA. 21 This may include installing an exterior ramp near a stairway or purchasing an electric lift massage table (as long as it meets the height requirements for accessibility). The current requirement is for the table surface to be able to be lowered to a height between 17 and 19 inches from the floor. 22 Always consult with your accountant or tax preparer before making any large furniture or equipment purchases or completing accessibility work in your practice building. Massage therapists should be sure they qualify for this tax deduction or tax credit. By considering the entire cost of the purchase strategically, you could make your practice more accessible to clients and extend the life of your own career for a very reasonable price. Service animals. People with disabilities have many modern assistive technologies that improve their daily lives. However, there are situations they encounter that are difficult for them to overcome on their own. This is where service animals can help. Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of their handlers.

Examples of tasks that service animals can perform include pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, detecting changes in blood sugar, alerting a person to a sound, such as a knock on the door or a doorbell, forewarning a seizure, circling around a person in a crowded space during a panic attack or reminding a person to take their medication. Originally under Title II and III of the ADA, service animals were limited to dogs because of their intelligence, obedient nature and strong connection to humans. Recent changes now allow individuals with disabilities to use miniature horses as service animals, as well as dogs. Service animals assist people with a range of disabilities, from physical impairments such as blindness and mobility issues to mental disabilities such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Service animals can be life-changing for people with disabilities. Service animals are not considered pets. They are medical equipment. This means that even if a business has a “no pets” policy, they must allow service animals.

Service animals are not considered pets. They are medical equipment. This means that even if a business has a “no pets” policy, they must allow service animals.

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