eInsights - January 2011

Working to Make Health Provider Settings More Accessible

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) has had many accomplishments in its 20 year existence, yet certain inequalities for the disability community still exist. Inaccessibility of health provider settings such as waiting and exam room dimensions, inaccessible bathrooms, lack of elevators, and distant parking can leave some individuals, like Debbie Blanchard who died from cervical cancer due to challenges in finding accessible facilities, foregoing annual exams and much needed doctor visits.

Addressing the internal and external accessibility problems associated with health care for our community was a priority in SBA’s advocacy efforts in 2010. Our organization worked with champions in the Congressional Spina Bifida Caucus to develop legislation addressing the many barriers that exist for individuals with Spina Bifida and other disabilities in accessing quality primary – and preventive – health care. We are extremely proud to announce that these efforts resulted in bills being introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Full Article (PDF)