Changing the Way We Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

For people with disabilities, the medical system too often becomes a barrier to health and well-being, achieving personal goals and living one’s life to the fullest. To provide the best care, providers need to shift their perspective from the medical model of care, in which they are the experts, to the independent living model, which emphasizes a partnership based on the expertise gained from lived experience. 

To support clinicians and health system leaders in understanding and combatting the barriers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face when accessing health care, the Center at Community Catalyst has partnered with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, clinicians and self-advocates to produce this series of two educational videos. 

 

This video series examines: 

  • How the current medical system fails adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities 

  • How systemic racism and biases impact care 

  • How to change organizational practices to make care accessible 

  • How to create a system of care that honors the lived experience of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities 

  • How adult providers can support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they transition from pediatric to adult care settings 

  • Barriers to successful healthcare transitions for youth of color 

  • Best practices to support young adults of color in accessing health care and getting the supports and services they need to live their dreams 

MODULE 1 – Communication & Respect

MODULE 2 – Transition to Adult Care

About Our Presenters

Plain Language Project Guide 

This project was produced in partnership with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and made possible with support from the WITH Foundation and Rx Foundation. 

 

Comments or feedback?