Many healthcare workers often misconstrue disability as a
disease rather than being seen as an impairment. It only
becomes a disability because society makes them navigate
barriers, resulting in negative attitudes by healthcare
workers when assisting persons with disability.
Persons with disabilities commonly report experiences of
prejudice, stigma, and discrimination by health service
Attitudinal barriers
providers and other staff at health facilities.
Many
service
providers
have
limited
knowledge
and
understanding of the rights of persons with disability and
their health needs and have inadequate training and
professional development about disability.
Many health services do not have policies to accommodate
the needs of people with disability. Such procedures could
include allowing longer and flexible appointment times,
providing outreach services, and reducing costs for persons
with disability.
Women with disability face particular barriers to sexual and
reproductive health services and information. Healthcare
workers often assume that women with a disability should
not engage in sex acts or are unfit to be mothers.
ZPP also had an interface with persons with disabilities.
They raised significant concerns about the unavailability of
skilled healthcare workers trained to assist and interact
with
people
with
special
needs,
which
resulted
in
harassment and ignoring of persons with disabilities when
they go to hospitals for treatment.
6