ADA National Network Learning Session: Preparing Physicians to Care for People with Disabilities: Core Competencies and the ADA

People with disabilities represent over 20 percent of the American population. Like other marginalized groups, people with disabilities have significant health disparities and face barriers to health care. Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act over thirty years ago, health care providers report being unprepared and uncomfortable treating patients with disabilities. To address this training gap, people with disabilities partnered with disability researchers, health educators, and healthcare advocates to create a list of six essential competencies to providing quality health care to patients with disabilities. Addressing core disability competencies in health care education will prepare the future healthcare workforce to provide quality healthcare to all patients.

Learning objectives:

Learners will recognize:

• Although overall healthcare is improving, health inequities exist for disadvantaged groups, including Americans with disabilities
• The Americans with Disabilities Act requires health care entities to provide full and equal access for people with disabilities through reasonable accommodations, effective communication, and accessible facilities.

Presenters:

Susan M. Havercamp, Ph.D., FAAIDD, NADD-CC is professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Genetic Counseling at the Ohio State University Nisonger Center. She directs the Nisonger Center Health Promotion and Healthcare Parity Program. Her research focuses on health and healthcare for people with disabilities.