Accessible is one of those overused words. Most people think it simply means you can get into a building or a room. But to truly make something accessible, you must ensure it is usable and achievable for that person. Disability is often visualised as someone in a wheelchair, but there are countless requirements to make something genuinely accessible.
I have been in hospitals where the shower hose was so close to the wall that showering was impossible if you were in a shower chair. So, beyond ramps, there are many other considerations: language, culture, and, in this case, medical accessibility.
In our hospital-based system, it is common to encounter professionals who have received no disability training—training not only on how to speak to or care for someone with a disability but also on essential medical knowledge. It is also frequent that staff don’t allow a person’s care workers to attend, meaning personal care needs, dietary needs, and especially communication needs are often unmet.
I have been asked if a quadriplegic man could get out of his wheelchair. I’ve seen situations where staff thought we could simply force a person’s legs into position when they had cerebral palsy. I’ve witnessed medical staff express astonishment that someone could speak—because they wrongly assumed they couldn’t.
And the list goes on.
Access is also a major barrier to receiving essential healthcare services like pap smears, dentistry, or disability-specific care from professionals who know anything about the NDIS. As a result, many people miss out on vital care, on proper understanding and management of their health needs, and on the correct assessments required for NDIS support.
I am sick and tired of having to explain the need for a care plan or updates when bringing a participant home. I am sick and tired of hearing about “quality of life” as if it’s someone else’s decision to make, of enduring others’ judgements, and of wondering how those judgements shape care pathways.
Yes, we need to focus on health and our ability to live our best lives once our care is in place. But we also need a healthcare system that acknowledges our existence and provides truly person-centred, equitable care.
Ideally, we keep people out of the hospital in the first place.
In the meantime, providing accessible healthcare on-site could serve as a model for others to follow.