Health
People with disability have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination.
(Article 25, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).
DDWA recognises that people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities often face barriers to accessing health services. Some of these may include:
- support to communicate how they are feeling, or what may be wrong
- availability of information in accessible formats
- support to understand the significance of symptoms
- requirements of standard diagnostic tests eg. sitting still or sensory issues
- being excluded from routine health reviews and screening
- previous traumatic experiences in health settings
- health staff being unfamiliar with characteristics of specific disability types
- health staff making judgements about what services should be provided
- health staff misattributing signs and symptoms to the disability, rather than to an unrelated health condition
DDWA Services
Advocacy - If you need support in relation to accessing health services please contact us.
Our specialist advocacy service supports:
- People with complex communication needs and little or no speech
- People with an intellectual disability or other developmental disability such as autism who may also behave in challenging ways
- Parents with an intellectual disability
Cost – This is a free service.
Resources
Coronavirus COVID-19 Information
There's no such thing as a silly question
Planning to go to the Dentist
Your Dental Health
Working Together, therapy in the early years
Supporting School-age Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Autism Parent's Handbook
Other Resources
Pain - A Guide for Parents
Emergency Care Plan
This document provides vital information about the support needs of my child with disability and/or additional needs. It aims to ensure that another person can take over from me in the event that I am unable to care for my child for any reason.