Promoting ADA compliance
In the more than 20 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) great strides have been made in ensuring equity for all populations in need of healthcare and support services.
But unfortunately, proper accommodations are not the reality for every individual with a disability seeking medical care. Provider accounts from across the healthcare spectrum published in a recent study, demonstrate how implicit (and explicit) biases towards patients with pre-existing disabilities contribute to discrimination in healthcare.
While some of the stories found in the report are extreme examples – like referring an individual in a wheelchair to a zoo to obtain an accurate weight – there are many more instances outlined in which the discriminatory behavior could be much more subtle. When biases are not as explicit, individuals are at greater risk of not recognizing them as a problem and accepting an unacceptable status quo in their care. In fact, numerous studies have shown, some providers unconsciously subscribe to a belief that a person with a disability has limited potential for improved quality of life no matter the treatment received.
As long as biases exist – whether they are conscious or not – equitable care will remain out of reach for too many. Creating a world of more equitable healthcare will involve a multifaceted solution.
