Is It My Responsibility? Professional Organizations' Perspectives on Disability Inclusion in Health Professions...

Area of Science:

• Disability Studies
• Health Professions Education
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Disabled healthcare professionals possess valuable expertise but encounter systemic barriers in education and practice.
• This study investigates professional organizations' perspectives on including students requiring accommodations (SRA) and practitioners requiring accommodations (PRA) in health and human service (HHS) professions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the perspectives of Canadian professional organizations regarding the inclusion of students and practitioners with disabilities in HHS professions.
• To identify challenges and organizational policies impacting the inclusion of SRA/PRA.
• To understand the perceived roles of professional organizations in supporting SRA/PRA.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory qualitative design utilizing a critical disability studies lens.
• Semistructured interviews were conducted with 28 representatives from 10 HHS professions in Canada.
• Data analysis focused on identifying themes related to perceived roles, challenges, and policy impacts on SRA/PRA inclusion.

Main Results:

• Three key themes emerged: "We do not know what we do not know," "not our responsibility," and "between a rock and a hard place."
• Many participants indicated this was the first time they had considered SRA/PRA within their organizational mandate.
• Limited awareness, uncertainty regarding responsibility (often prioritizing public protection), and systemic obstacles hinder inclusive policy implementation.

Conclusions:

• The inclusion of SRA/PRA is a "wicked problem" influenced by tacit ableist discourses that limit agency and perpetuate marginalization.
• Despite equity mandates, systemic barriers persist, constraining the inclusion of SRA/PRA in HHS education and practice.
• The study offers insights and recommendations for dismantling barriers and promoting equitable pathways for SRA/PRA in HHS professions.