Americans with disabilities consume a large portion of the nation's health care services. Despite the large numbers of disabled women who need these services and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), there are many barriers that reduce the quality and accessibility of their care. One type is physical barriers that make health care settings unfriendly and inaccessible. In many cases, women also lack the transportation and support services they need to get to health care appointments.

There also are invisible barriers to care, such as policies that deny service to women who cannot easily get up onto exam tables, or that let doctors refuse to see women with disabilities. There also are health care providers who have little or no knowledge about certain disabilities. As a result, women with disabilities oftentimes receive inadequate health care.

Last updated: August 2004

Publications

1.   Medicare Basics - Overview - This fact sheet explains how to enroll in Medicare, who is eligible, and a coverage summary for both Medicare Part A and B. Also it provides links to the variuos Medicare services through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
   
   
2.   New Freedom Initiative: Fulfilling America's Promise to Americans with Disabilities - On February 1, 2001, President George W. Bush announced the New Freedom Initiative as part of a nationwide effort to remove barriers to community living for people with disabilities. This Internet site is a source for information about the initiative's specific proposals that directly involve the Department of Health and Human Services and information about Executive Order 13217, "Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities," issued on June 18, 2001.
   
   
3.   Women's Health Issues: An Overview - This publication contains a broad statistical overview of issues related to women's health such as; cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, violence, reproductive health, stroke, access to health care, etc.
   
   
4. BenefitsCheckUp (Copyright © NCOA) - The BenefitsCheckUp web site helps people find programs for seniors that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. By filling out a simple questionnaire users can find programs that can assist them and their loved ones.
   
   
5. Mastering the Maze: Taking Control of Your Health Care (Copyright © CAP) - This publication serves as a guide to help people better choose and use health care and includes information on how to protect yourself, choosing coverage, choosing your doctor, and a glossary of terminology.
   
   
6. Removing Barriers to Health Care (Copyright (Copyright © UNC) - This document provides guidelines and recommendations to help health care professionals ensure equal use of the facility and services by all their patients.
   
   

Organizations

1.   Bureau of Primary Health Care, HRSA, HHS
   
   
2.   Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS
   
   
3.   DisabilityInfo.gov
   
   
4.   National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, HHS
   
   
5.   Office of Minority and Women's Health, BPHC, HRSA, HHS
   
   
6. American Medical Association
   
   
7. American Medical Women's Association
   
   
8. American Society for Reproductive Medicine
   
   
9. Center for Medicare Education
   
   
10. Center for Research on Women with Disabilities
    
    
11. HalfthePlanet
    
    
12. Laurent Clerc National Education Center
    
    
13. National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc.
    
    
14. National Association of Protection and Advocacy Inc.
    
    
15. National Patient Travel HelpLine
    
    
16. The Office of Disability, Aging and Long-Term Care Policy
    
    

= Indicates Federal Resources