All people, including people with disabilities, are entitled to access to all facilities and services. Over 54 million Americans have been identified as having a disability. People with disabilities represent a large and growing sector of the population, and almost everyone experiences a disability as he or she ages. People with disabilities are still sometimes […]
Fact Sheets
Below you will find fact sheets and articles on various topics concerning health and disability. Select one of the topics below to learn more.
Disability Etiquette
Disability etiquette refers to guidelines on how to interact with people with disabilities. Because one in five Americans has a disability, the chance is great that you do or will in the future interact with someone with a disability. As with all people, it is important to treat people with disabilities how you would want […]
Obesity and Disability
Obesity increases the risk of many health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, stroke and more. While obesity affects more than one‐third of all adult Americans, people with disabilities are more likely to be overweight or obese and often have fewer tools for controlling weight at their disposal. 20% of children […]
Health Promotion and Wellness for People with Disabilities
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual with a disability is someone who: 1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or (2) has a record of such an impairment; or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment (the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990). More than […]
More Health Screening for People with Disabilities
Roughly 54 million Americans have some type of disability and these Americans are less likely to receive health screenings than other Americans — despite being at higher risk of many chronic conditions and illnesses.1 Health screenings are the gateway to health resources, including medical care, social support groups and health promotion interventions. Read more: download full PDF […]
Health Disparities and People with Disabilities
Health disparities are differences in health outcomes between groups that reflect social inequalities. Disability rates vary by ethnicity, age, sex and income, ranging from 10.4% among Asians to 22.6% among non‐Hispanic black to 31.3% among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Unsurprisingly, disability is more prevalent in those age 65 and older (37.8%) than those age […]
The “Year of Community Living”
In 2009 — on the 10-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C. — President Obama proclaimed 2009 the “Year of Community Living.” The landmark Supreme Court ruling supported community living options for people with disabilities. Shortly after Obama’s proclamation, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced an initiative to make it easier for older people, younger […]
New York Builds Disability and Minority Interests into RFP Process
As of January 2009, all Requests for Proposals/Applications (RFP/A) issued from New York’s Department of Health, Center for Community Health (CCH) must reflect the needs of people with disabilities and minorities, regardless of where the funding is coming from — the state or the private sector. In March 2010, the policy was extended to the […]
Health Care Reform and People With Disabilities: What’s Ahead?
Nearly three months after the arrival of long-awaited health care reform, many people are not sure how things will change. In May 2010, 44 percent of Americans reported being confused about it, and more than a third of the public do not understand how the new law will affect them and their families.1 The Patient […]
H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Fact Sheet
The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has prepared the following information as a timely quick resource to websites and resources on H1N1, seasonal flu, vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics. This page will be updated and modified on a regular basis on our website. Please feel free to circulate and contact AAHD at contact@aahd.us to add additional resources. Please check […]