The World Health Organization identifies inaccessible health facilities and information, communication barriers, negative attitudes, cost, and inadequate knowledge among health workers as some of the barriers that can prevent persons with disabilities from receiving the care they need. These barriers are also visible in Uganda with Uganda Functional Difficulties Survey reporting access to information as a major challenge for persons with disabilities acessing health facilities. 

The work of this focus area will therefore advocate for accessible health information, create spaces where persons with disabilities and health stakeholders can discuss barriers to care, and support health professionals to develop basic sign language and disability-inclusive communication skills.

Goal: Advocate for improved access to health information and health services for persons with disabilities by addressing communication, information, and other barriers that contribute to unequal health care.

Strategies

• Conduct Talking Circles, and webinars where persons with disabilities, health workers, students, and other stakeholders can identify barriers to health care and discuss practical ways of addressing them.

• Develop and share accessible health information that helps persons with disabilities understand preventive care, common health concerns, available services, and when and where to seek care.

• Work with health institutions, disability organizations, universities, and government agencies to identify practices that make health services more accessible and responsive to persons with disabilities.

• Participate in advocacy around health financing and other policies where the design or implementation of these systems may affect the ability of persons with disabilities to obtain affordable health care.