Rachelle Martin and Kaaren Mathias
Disabled people encounter all kinds of barriers to accessing healthcare – and not simply because some face significant mobility challenges.
Others will see their symptoms not investigated properly because it’s assumed a problem is related to their disability rather than another medical condition. Or they will have decisions made for them rather than with them.
This often means they experience worse – and avoidable – outcomes compared to others. But despite this, health research – which is meant to reduce these disparities – frequently excludes disabled people.