Provider Perceptions of Their Capacity to Offer Accessible Health Care for People With Disabilities

The purpose of this article is to provide preliminary data about the results of a comprehensive survey of providers regarding their perceptions of access to health care for people with a broad range of disabilities. We conducted a mail and telephone follow-up survey of providers that contract with two managed care organizations, the Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance, and the Assisted Living Association (36% response rate). Data were analyzed using standard methods. Results suggest that providers are more likely to provide services to patients with chronic illness, mobility, cognitive, or psychiatric impairments than they are to serve individuals with communication limitations or visual impairments. Providers also reported that people with communication impairments are the most difficult to serve. However, respondent perceptions also suggest that individuals with disabilities do not have easy access to health-care providers, despite changes brought on by the Americans with Disabilities Act.