Both people with disabilities and lesbians are known to experience a variety of barriers to health care. However, little is known about the ways these two identities affect the experiences of women who hold both, i.e., disabled lesbians. A survey conducted in the spring of 1998, in preparation for a regional lesbian health conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and other government agencies, provided an opportunity to examine the joint impact of disability and lesbian identity on health care experiences. Surveys were distributed through key contacts and personal networks in each state in Region V. In Wisconsin, surveys were distributed through the Lesbian Health Issues Task Force of Dane County. Drawing on the networks of Task Force members, special efforts were made to distribute surveys to lesbians with disabilities. Efforts were made to provide needed accommodation to lesbians with disabilities that affect their abilities to complete a standard printed questionnaire. Forty-seven (47) surveys were returned, 23 of which came from disabled lesbians. Information was obtained about the primary sources of health care used; histories of abuse; health practices concerning breast and gynecological health, alcohol and diet; and HIV status. The survey included a combination of open- and closed-ended questions. Disabled lesbians were more likely to have health insurance and to have a primary health care provider than were their non-disabled counterparts. However, they were less likely to have revealed their sexual identity to their provider, and therefore are in danger of receiving incomplete or inappropriate care.
Learning Objectives: 1. Learn the ways that barriers to health care operate similarly and differently among lesbians and disabled women 2. Understand how the joint impact of lesbian and disability identities affect access to health care 3. Use this information to improve the quality of health care for disabled lesbians
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Disability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.