Celebrating Disability Pride Month: A Conversation About Inclusive Healthcare for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Every July, Disability Pride Month celebrates the strength, diversity, and contributions of people with disabilities while recognizing disability as a natural part of the human experience, not something to be hidden or overcome. It's also an opportunity to shine a light on the barriers many people with disabilities still face, including when accessing healthcare.

At Tepeyac Community Health Center, we're committed to making high-quality, compassionate healthcare accessible to everyone. One of the ways we do that is through our specialized care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

We sat down with Dr. Emily Johnson, our family physician who specializes in caring for children and adults with IDD, to talk about what inspired her work, the challenges many families face, and how Tepeyac is helping make healthcare more accessible for all.

What inspired you to specialize in caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

My older brother has Down syndrome, so I've been part of the IDD community my entire life. That experience shaped how I view healthcare and the importance of providing compassionate, individualized care.

During my medical training, I also saw how difficult it can be for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to find providers who understand their unique needs. That's one of the reasons I chose family medicine. It allows me to care for individuals with IDD throughout every stage of life and build long-term relationships with patients and their families.

Why did you choose to work at Tepeyac?

I really appreciate Tepeyac's mission to serve the community and its commitment to caring for individuals with IDD, which is still difficult to find in many healthcare settings. It felt like a place where I could provide the kind of patient-centered, accessible care that I believe everyone deserves.

What challenges do people with IDD and their families often face when navigating the healthcare system?

Navigating healthcare can be challenging for anyone, but those challenges are often even greater for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Many patients experience communication barriers or struggle to find providers who are knowledgeable about disability-related healthcare. The reality is that much of the healthcare system simply wasn't designed with people with IDD in mind. That can make receiving routine care stressful and overwhelming for both patients and caregivers.

How does Tepeyac make healthcare more accessible for patients with IDD?

Accessibility goes far beyond wheelchair ramps. We strive to create an environment that supports both physical accessibility and sensory needs.

Our clinic includes specialized equipment such as wheelchair scales, Hoyer lifts, adjustable exam tables, and dimmable lighting to make visits safer and more comfortable. We also offer extended appointment times for patients who need additional time for communication or more complex care.

Another advantage is our integrated care model. Many patients can receive primary care, behavioral health services, laboratory services, pharmacy support, dental care, and ultrasound services all in one location. Being able to coordinate multiple appointments under one roof makes healthcare much easier for individuals with IDD and their families.

How does caring for the whole family benefit caregivers?

Caregivers often spend so much time caring for others that their own health takes a back seat.

Because Tepeyac provides care for the entire family, caregivers can often schedule appointments for themselves and their loved ones in the same place. That reduces the stress of coordinating care across multiple providers and locations.

Our team also understands the unique challenges caregivers face and can help connect them with disability-related resources and support services when needed.

What happens when patients need services that aren't available at Tepeyac?

Care coordination is an essential part of caring for people with IDD.

Our team helps connect patients and families with community resources that support housing, food assistance, employment, transportation, and Medicaid waiver services. We also coordinate specialty referrals when patients need healthcare services that aren't available within our clinic.

Our goal is to make sure patients don't have to navigate these systems alone.

What does Disability Pride Month mean to you?

Disability Pride Month is a reminder that every person deserves to be valued, respected, and included. It also highlights the importance of building healthcare systems that are accessible, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities.

At Tepeyac, we're proud to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout every stage of life, helping patients and families access the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.