Changing Narratives About Disability in NH

ABLE-NH, an advocacy group, is developing resources to address the cultural competence of NH healthcare providers and improve the experiences of individuals receiving the diagnosis or prognosis of a disability, emphasizing the potential for all people to live fulfilling lives.

Life with a disability is one not worth living and that individuals with disabilities are burdens to society and are somehow less human.

The DDD Task Force aims to change that narrative. Through resources and education, ABLE NH is hoping to improve the cultural competence of NH healthcare providers when delivering a disability diagnosis, whether it’s a prenatal diagnosis or post-injury prognosis. 

The DDD Task Force’s Mission Statement:

The Disability Diagnosis Task Force recognizes disability as a natural part of human experience. We aim to collaborate with healthcare providers to improve the experience of individuals and families receiving a diagnosis of disability through the use of balanced narratives and family engagement, in the context of understanding that all people possess unknowable amounts of human potential.

Families often receive inaccurate and stigmatized information about living with a disability, but when provided with effective information, supports, and resources, individuals with disabilities and their families can and do lead fulfilling lives. ABLE NH Executive Director Lisa Beaudoin said “The medical field is systemically ableist, wrongly framing disability as a life not quite worth living. Families deserve to be given balanced, unbiased and accurate information about life with a disability, unfortunately, medical schools are failing our future doctors by reinforcing untrue stereotypes. DDD workshops are co-led by people with disabilities and are designed to provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to remove the blinding glasses of ableism so they can see and value their patients.” 

According to ABLE NH, “Families beginning their journey in life with a disability routinely report to ABLE NH the delivery of a diagnosis of disability from healthcare providers focuses on disability in negative terms and life outcomes,” despite immense advancements in legal protections, improved medical care and technology, and increased services that have greatly improved the lives of individuals living with disabilities.

The DDD Task Force is tackling this issue head on with presentations, workshops, packets of information, and resources for healthcare providers and systems which include personal stories and best practices on cultural competence.  More excitingly, ABLE NH created a Disability Healthcare Champions rubric designed by people with disabilities. Healthcare providers can utilize this step-by-step tool to identify how they can provide high quality care to the disability community. By the end of 2022, ABLE NH hopes to feature Disability Healthcare Champions who meet the criteria on its website.

ABLE NH invites families impacted by disability and healthcare providers to join in this work. This task force meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 pm. Please contact Lisa Beaudoin at lisab@ablenh.org to get involved.

To learn more about ABLE NH, please visit the website: www.ablenh.org.