Attitudinal and Physical Barriers

The World Health Organisation (2020) has identified four main barriers to healthcare, including:

  1. Attitudinal barriers
  2. Physical barriers
  3. Communication barriers
  4. Financial barriers

Attitudinal barriers

  • Service providers have inadequate education regarding the rights of people with disability and thus their capacity to provide the best support is limited

  • People with disability can experience increased levels of prejudice, stigma and discrimination from health, security and administrative staff

  • Lack of disability specific policies and processes 

  • Lack of awareness regarding sexual and reproductive activity and health for men and women with disability 

  • Limited involvement of people with disability in health service related decision making

speech bubble Did you know that the life expectancy of Australians with Down Syndrome trippled between 1962 and 2002 partly due to the shift in public attitudes towards people with Downs Syndrome? (Bittles & Gleeson 2004)

Physical barriers

  • Limited access to hospitals by public transport 

  • Barriers to the built environment including stairs, uneven paths, narrow door openings, heavy doors, inaccessible bathroom, high reception desks, non-adjustable heights for beds and furniture in the hallways (World Health Organisation 2020)

  • Difficult to navigate layouts, lighting and signage and a lack of wayfinding

speech bubbleDid you know that 1.2 million Australians with disability report difficulties using public transport? (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 & Australian Human Rights Commission 2014). This can result in difficulty attending face to face appointments or check-ups. Consider flexible modes of consultation where it is appropriate. 

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