Improving access to mammography clinics for women with disabilities: An overview of project accessibility USA

According to the 2000 Census, 18% of the female population is living with a sensory, physical or mental disability. This means approximately 1 out of 5 women receiving a mammogram may be living with a disability. Women with disabilities have the same chance of developing breast cancer as the general population. Women with disabilities may be at a higher risk of acquiring breast cancer due to risk factors such as obesity and delayed diagnosis because of barriers in obtaining preventative screenings. Often, when a woman with a disability is diagnosed with breast cancer, it is at a diagnosed at a higher stage than a woman without a disability.

Many programs have been developed to educate health care providers and increase mammogram access for women with disabilities. Many initiatives focus on increasing awareness of the benefits of screening among women with disabilities, while others focus on increasing physical, and cultural accessibility of mammography facilities. Project Accessibility USA takes a different approach to breast cancer awareness by educating mammography clinics and their staff about working with women with disabilities.

Project Accessibility USA, a project of American Association on Health and Disability in collaboration with the Center for Development and Disability at the University of New Mexico, is using an integrated approach to increase accessibility of mammography facilities. The assessment process includes a self-assessment using custom-designed workbooks. After completion, project staff review the assessment and perform a site visit, making recommendations on ways in which the facility can better serve women with disabilities.