OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Please note that we use a combination of person-first (e.g., person with a disability) and identity-first language (e.g., disabled person) in this article in acknowledgment of differing preferences within the disability community. When speaking to an individual it is always best to ask if they prefer person-first or identity first language.
This article does include information relating to suicide and suicidal behavior. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call 988 for free, confidential support from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For ASL services, click the “ASL Now” button at https://988lifeline.org/. For services in Spanish, call 988 and press option 2.
Part I outlined two main definitions of disability and highlighted how people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. Part II dived deeper into the context behind the statistics covered in Part I. This section will break down actionable steps that can be taken to help make mental health and substance prevention and intervention accessible for disabled people. Part I outlined two main definitions of disability and highlighted how people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by mental health and substance use challenges. Part II dived deeper into the context behind the statistics covered in Part I. This section will break down actionable steps that can be taken to help make mental health and substance prevention and intervention accessible for disabled people.
Barriers faced by disabled people can make it difficult for disabled people to find and access care for mental illness. Some of those barriers include:
| Barrier | Definition & Examples | What Can We Do? |
|---|---|---|
| Stigma |
Stigma refers to negative attitudes or beliefs about disability. An example of a stigmatizing belief is the idea that disabled people are kind, but incompetent. |
Use neutral language and avoid ableist language. For example, instead of saying a person is “wheelchair bound” say the person is a “wheelchair user”. |
| Bias |
Bias refers to the tendency to view disability either positively or negatively. An example of a negative disability bias is the assumption that people with disabilities have a poorer quality of life. An example of a positive disability bias is the assumption that disabled people are always nice. |
Learn about disability and ableism. When educating yourself, look for resources that are by disabled people. For example, we can learn more about our own implicit biases around disability and work towards countering these biases. |
| Communication barriers |
Communication barriers are obstacles that impact the exchange of information. Examples include not providing ASL interpretation, written messages that use small print, videos without correct captions, communications that use technical or abstract language instead of plain language, etc. |
Increase communication accessibility. Example include providing ASL interpretation, using alt text, offering multiple ways or methods of contact (e.g. phone and email), checking documents or websites for color contrast, providing transcripts, captioning videos, and ensuring documents or websites are screen-reader accessible. |
| Financial barriers |
People with disabilities face employment discrimination and are more likely to be unemployed, underemployed, and/or live below the poverty line, meaning that financial cost can be a barrier. For example, financial cost can be a barrier to things like treatment, medications, or assistive technology. |
Expand health insurance (e.g., Medicaid). Address the pay gap and subminimum wage. Update Social Security Income (SSI) benefits and rules. For example, proposed legislation like the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act would update SSI benefits for inflation. |
| Physical barriers |
Physical barriers are structural or environmental barriers that impact access. Examples include narrow doorways, doors without automatic door openers, stairs, steep ramps, etc. |
Increase physical accessibility. For example, ensure that program spaces are accessible, mark accessible routes on maps, and provide clear signage for elevators and entrances/exits. |
| Systemic barriers |
Systemic barriers are policies, practices, procedures, laws, etc. that perpetuate inequitable access. Examples include hiring practices that discourage disabled people from applying (e.g., a carrying capacity requirement for a desk job), event planning that does not incorporate accessibility, lack of enforcement of disability rights legislation like the ADA, etc. |
Listen to disabled people & amplify disabled voices. For example, this could be done by sharing content from disability activists to your platform (don’t forget to properly cite!). Include disabled people in policy making and program planning. For example, this could be done by involving people with disabilities throughout the legislative and programming process. |
| Technology barriers |
Technology barriers are when software, electronics, or other forms of technology are not accessible. Examples include websites that are not screen-reader accessible, images without alt text (written descriptions of the image), using only one method of communication (e.g. phone only), etc. |
Increase technological accessibility. For example, ensuring that there are multiple ways to register for an event (e.g. in-person, online, and via phone). |
| Transportation barriers |
Transportation barriers are obstacles that prevent or impact movement from one place to another. Examples include needing to travel long distances and a lack of public or accessible transportation. |
Increase transportation accessibility. Examples include ensuring that public transit is accessible, improving paratransit, and using event spaces that are near public transit stops. |
Many of the barriers mentioned above require collaborative efforts to improve current systems to better support the mental and physical wellbeing of disabled people. As you work diligently towards these goals in your community, consider these actions that you can begin taking now:
We hope this page has provided a brief introduction to issues of disability equity within mental health and substance use. To learn more, we recommend resources that have been developed by the disabled community or in collaboration with the disabled community. We have included a list of various resources to get you started, organized alphabetically by topic.