This training delves into the complex intersection of health disparities and service engagement for individuals with disabilities. Focusing on various disability types and societal-level variables, the talk underscores the challenges faced by diverse groups, emphasizing the impact of ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. It identifies key barriers to healthcare access and proposes targeted interventions, including the use of Peer Health Navigators to enhance recovery and self-determination goals. The presentation advocates for policy support and evidence-based practices to improve the availability and accessibility of services, emphasizing the importance of cultural competence in fostering effective provider-person relationships.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing healthcare services, considering factors such as ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
• Explore effective strategies, including the utilization of Peer Health Navigators, to enhance service engagement and support recovery goals among diverse disability groups.
• Recognize the significance of cultural competence in healthcare providers to establish positive and effective relationships with individuals with disabilities and address health disparities.