Community Application of Findings from a Breast Health Accessibility Study

Women with disabilities experience multiple problems that prevent or hinder access to breast health services. These barriers include inaccessible facilities and services, lack of available resources on accessibility, and lack of information about serving women with disabilities among service providers. Funded by the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the objective of this study was to help women with disabilities and breast health providers in understanding the importance of accessibility and the need to improve the access of breast health services for women with disabilities. Two instruments were developed and pilot-tested in Missouri to address these barriers. The first instrument is an accessibility checklist, which describes key accessibility aspects that should be provided in breast health facilities. The second instrument is a resource guidebook, which provides information on how to improve accessibility of breast health facilities and how to adapt services to make them more accessible. Instrument development and pilot testing have involved both women with disabilities and breast health providers throughout each step of the process. Findings from the study have influenced changes in the community regarding the issue of breast health and women with disabilities. This presentation will review steps taken in developing these accessibility instruments, discuss practical community applications of the findings, and describe ways to involve women with disabilities in both research and practice.