Access to Health Care: A Human Right

[SARN Memo for January 14, 2009]

In many places, people with disabilities do not get equal treatment. Take health care: many folks don’t have their basic health needs met.

But we have rights. In 2007, the United Nations passed a new law. It says people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else. It says we have an equal right to the best possible health care.

1. The Problem: Lack of Equal Access to Health Care
2. What Does the New UN Law Say?
3. Group Activity: Teach the Doctors
4. Resource

• Respond to this memo!

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1. The Problem: Lack of Equal Access to Health Care

Sound familiar?

• I can’t afford health insurance.
• The doctor talks to my mom but not to me.
• No one told me about HIV.
• I don’t have the money to get my teeth fixed.
• My medications are wrong, but the doctor can’t fix it.

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2. What Does the New UN Law Say?

Here are some of what the new law says about health care rights (paraphrased):

• We should have the same health care as others.
• Our care should be as good as others’ and not cost more.
• We should not have to travel farther than others to get care.
• Insurance companies must treat us equally.
• Medical workers must treat us equally.
• Health is more than health care.
• These make us less healthy: being poor, poor schooling, poor housing.
• These help us be well: enough money, enough education, enough for a good life.
• Society must reach for the top: the best well-being for each person.

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3. Group Activity: Teach the Doctors

Pretend you’ve been asked to teach a group of doctors and nurses. Teach them how to work with people who have a disability. In groups of three, make a list of the “dos and don’ts.” Then read your lists to the whole group. Make a combined list and consider who to share it with.

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4. Resource

We Have Human Rights
(28 pp, full color)
Today’s memo is based on a dynamite new book for people with developmental disabilities. You can use it to learn about your rights. You can also use it to talk with others about your rights. It even has great exercises for your group. It’s written for self-advocates around the world.

1. Free download. Get a free download copy of the book from the publisher, Harvard Project on Disability.
2. Order a hard copy. Order hard copies of the book in volume discounts from ACT’s online catalog.

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