People living with disabilities need access to regular medical care, including prescription, specialists, durable medical equipment and assistive devices as well as long term care and wellness visits.

 

Health-care professionals-in-training must receive proper education on disability services Melbourne, its causes, effects and implications. This should include clinical information as well as exploring its relation to human rights issues.

 

Accessibility

 

Medical and health care services for those with physical disabilities are only offered in facilities accessible to them, due to structural barriers such as lack of architectural access to buildings or offices, transportation limitations or the absence of accessible equipment and communication accommodations.

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in any activities that receive federal financial assistance, including health care programs and services. Unfortunately, inadequate federal oversight and weak enforcement of these laws contribute to limited accessibility to health care services for people living with disabilities.

 

Many physicians and their staffs lack adequate knowledge, experience, and skills when it comes to caring for patients with disabilities. Furthermore, many may hold negative stereotypes against people with disabilities that prevent them from providing appropriate medical care – for example by failing to use an exam table tailored specifically for each person who requires one and refusing or denying reasonable accommodations such as sign language interpreters or special equipment.

 

Communication

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibit discrimination in activities and services funded with Federal financial assistance, including health care facilities. Unfortunately, people with disabilities often encounter barriers when accessing health care; these range from social misperceptions of disability to the lack of accessibility features such as accessible examination rooms and equipment as well as sign language interpreters and individual accommodations.

 

Women with disabilities typically need gynecological services that include routine exams and breast screening; information regarding sexuality; contraception options; and consultations regarding childbearing. A qualitative study reported one instance in which her gynecologist assumed she wasn’t sexually active and did not test her for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

 

Research demonstrates the existence of health disparities and barriers to care among various disability communities. This discussion will specifically highlight four groups within these: women with disabilities; individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing; those who are blind/visually impaired and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

 

Equipment

 

Disabled people typically can rent or purchase equipment that assists with mobility and daily tasks; however, charities and organizations also provide disability aids free or at a reduced price to those in need.

 

Medical facilities must ensure all equipment available to people with disabilities by adhering to the new standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment(link is external). This includes design criteria for examination rooms and clear floor space for individuals using mobility devices to access tables and chairs; adjustable-height mammography equipment, radiological equipment and weight scales; patient lifts; as well as training health care staff in disability cultural competency.

 

DME can be extremely costly, making cost-benefit analysis essential when buying it for people living with disabilities. Unfortunately, most health plans do not cover DME but can significantly enhance quality of life and participation in society, workplace and recreational activities for its recipients.

 

Insurance

 

Federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid should take steps to address the health care needs of people with disabilities, providing financial and coverage protections for many. Third-party insurance coverage should also meet these unique medical needs adequately – this means adequate reimbursement of accessibility services like sign language interpreters, special exam equipment and longer appointment times.

 

People with disabilities require access to health-related information and services for both disability-related conditions as well as nondisability related ones, including reproductive and sexual health services such as annual gynecological exams, screening for breast cancer and sexually transmitted diseases; consultations about menopause or menstrual issues; as well as fertility/conception related guidance and information.

 

Civil actions and settlements against individual hospitals and HMOs may play an integral part in eliminating access barriers; although their full extent cannot always be assessed. Therefore, Federal agencies and other stakeholders must collaborate closely in ensuring the ADA and Section 504 requirements are effectively implemented.