ADA National Network Learning Session: State of Equitable Care for Persons with Disabilities: Fifty Years after Civil Rights Laws

23rd February, 2023

Despite multiple laws requiring the provision of equitable care, research repeatedly demonstrates that Americans with disabilities experience disparities and inadequate care. The presenters will discuss major areas in which these disparities persist: data gaps, effective communication, physical access to care, competency training for healthcare providers and staff, and nondiscriminatory health insurance benefit design. In each of the areas, the presenters will discuss the current status of the field and promising future directions or solutions.

Learning objectives:

Describe areas in which there are persistent gaps in the quality and equity of care delivered to persons with disabilities.

Presenters:

Dr. Megan Morris is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the director of the Disability Equity Collaborative. The aim of her research is to advance the equity of care delivered to persons with disabilities.

Dr. Michelle Meade is a full Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Family Medicine at the University of Michigan / Michigan Medicine. She is the co-Director of the University of Michigan Center for Disability Health and Wellness and the PI on the IDEAL RRTC, The Equity in Health and Functioning RRTC and the Michigan SCI Model Systems. Dr. Meade's research is two fold in working to identify and enhance individual self-management while also collaborating to identify and address systemic and environmental factors that contribute to healthcare disparities among individuals with disabilities, and particularly those from racially / ethnically marginalized and underrepresented populations.

Elizabeth Pendo is a professor of law at Saint Louis University School of Law and the Center for Health Law Studies. She uses a disability justice framework to study the impact of health care and antidiscrimination laws on health outcomes and experiences of people with disabilities.

Session Handouts