Access to health care for individuals with developmental disabilities from minority backgrounds

In this project we examined access to health care by individuals with developmental disabilities in Kansas from low-income populations and from minority backgrounds. Four criteria for determining access were employed: availability, accessibility, affordability, and appropriateness of care. Factors that pose barriers and that facilitate access are described and recommendations are set out, with particular reference to the 2002 Report of the Surgeon General of the United States, related to health status of people with mental retardation.