The Institute on Disabilities has been awarded a grant from The WITH Foundation (Working with Inclusive and Transformative Healthcare) to improve healthcare for sexual and gender minorities with disabilities.  

Project lead, Taye Hallock, Assistant Director of Health Equity says that sexual and gender minorities with intellectual and developmental disability face challenges finding affirming and accessible health care. "This project will conduct a qualitative needs assessment in collaboration with a community advisory board to identify barriers to healthcare access for queer folks with disabilities."

Taye says that this assessment, which will include a literature review and interviews, will help define areas for quality improvement and allow the community to set priorities for that improvement. "With the expertise of our advisory board members and the completed assessment, we will be able to envision and begin to develop a community-informed and patient-centered training for healthcare providers to improve access to affirming care."

The Institute’s Health Equity Team will work closely with a community advisory board, including people with lived experience and healthcare professionals, as well as Patrick J.A. Kelly, MPH, a socio-behavioral researcher who will serve as a consultant.

The project is scheduled for completion in late 2024.