Current Projects
NWADA Center Study on Healthcare Experiences
People with multiple marginalized identites continue to be underrepresented in research and underserved in healthcare. This is contributing to health inequities experienced by people with disabilities. Implementation of the ADA that meaningfully increases access to healthcare requires examining the experiences of individuals with disabilities who have intersectional identites to understand their unique needs and best practices for providing ADA support services. In this study, we are focusing on outreach to and data collection with people with disabilities who have multiple marginalized identities, such as those who identify as biracial, indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, or non-native English speakers.
WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS STUDY!
We are seeking people with disabilities to share their healthcare experiences (good and bad) when getting healthcare. Participants will spend 1-2 hours in a focus group with others talking about their experiences in healthcare spaces.
To particpate, you must:
- Be an adult (at least 18 years old)
- Have a disability
- Be a person of color and/or identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community
- Be able to communicate through spoken or written English, or through ASL interpretation
- Live in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or Alaska
Focus groups will be conducted online via Zoom, will last 1-2 hours, and will be recorded. Researchers will keep the information you share confidential, and your name will never be used in any report. Participation is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time.
If interested, please contact our Research Coordinator, Kaitlin Brouillard, by email at or call 425-633-5127
NWADA Center Study on Medical Education Curriculum
Many studies find that a lack of disability cultural compentency and minimal legal knowledge of oblications under Titles II and III or the ADA contributes to inequitable access to healthcare for people with disabilities. Healthcare providers' negative attitudes and bias toward disability persist as a significant barrier to ADA implementation. Researchers continue to call for more stigma-related education and training for healthcare providers working with individuals with disabilities.
In this study, we intent to test the impact of a medical education module designed to address disability stigma, reduce disability bias, and clearly connect ADA obligations to equity in access to healthcare for people with disabilities. This module will be tested in Physician Assistant training programs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska.
Completed Research
Healthcare access and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A mixed methods study (Disability and Health Journal, January 2021, Volume 14, Issue 1)
Summary of Findings:
The scoping review results were used to develop our mixed-methods study aimed at identifying barriers to healthcare access under Title I and Title II of the ADA. Our study included a survey of 562 individuals and focus groups with 21 participants. These focus group participants were representative of groups harder to reach through traditional survey methods including individuals with disabilities living in remote or rural areas. Key barriers identified in this study included physical barriers in healthcare facilities, communication barriers, knowledge and practice gaps, policy issues, program and service barriers, and transportation and parking barriers.
A Scoping Review on Healthcare Access for Individuals with Disabilities
Summary of Findings:
The Northwest ADA Center conducted a scoping review of 64 studies (2000-2016) on barriers and facilitators to healthcare access for people with disabilities. The review found gaps in diverse representation, with most studies focusing on White populations and neglecting to address the intersections of race, ethnicity, or rural/urban settings. This highlights the need to intentionally include a more diverse group of people with disabilities in future research. Additionally, this review revealed that research on accessible health information and disability related policies are limited. Most studies focused on barriers to healthcare access, but more research is needed on facilitators to access.