Inclusion in Action: A Commitment to Accessibility & Innovation
By Office of the President | Feb 11, 2025
Disability is often misunderstood by the public and healthcare providers, resulting in significant gaps in services for individuals with disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one in four adults in the U.S.—over 70 million Americans—reported having a disability in 2022, underscoring the urgent need for greater awareness, accessibility, and inclusion in healthcare and education.
Recognizing this need, Downstate’s School of Health Professions (SOHP) hosted a Disability Awareness Conference in January that brought together healthcare providers, educators, administrators, and advocates to inspire change and help shape a more inclusive future. The conference highlighted Downstate’s ongoing efforts on disability while exploring contemporary perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges individuals with disabilities face and the best practices for improving service delivery.
By tackling these vital challenges, Downstate remains committed to promoting equity, accessibility, and inclusion, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the needed care and support.
Led by Dean Allen Lewis, Ph.D., CRC, the conference opened with a call for inclusion and action and a challenge to rethink
societal perceptions of disability. Speakers and panelists emphasized that true inclusion
requires shifts in attitudes, environments, policies, and professional training. The
conference also delved into several critical areas to enhance disability inclusion,
focusing on shaping inclusive healthcare by encouraging providers to shift their perspectives
to improve patient experiences.
Another key discussion centered on designing equitable spaces, emphasizing accessibility in physical and digital environments, and ensuring that all individuals could navigate and utilize these spaces without barriers. Another focus was on redefining communication by using language emphasizing abilities rather than limitations, creating empowering environments for individuals with disabilities.
The conference also explored the role of innovation in accessibility, emphasizing the need to view accommodations as an asset rather than a hindrance. By implementing inclusive practices, institutions and organizations can develop innovative solutions that benefit everyone, creating inclusive environments that are accessible, efficient, and user-friendly.
This discussion naturally connected to strengthening policy and advocacy to drive systemic change. Speakers highlighted initiatives like Governor Hochul’s Executive Order 31, which commits New York State to become a model employer for workplaces, healthcare, education, and beyond, advancing equity and opportunity for all.
Downstate advances disability inclusion through innovative programs that support individuals with disabilities and train future inclusive care professionals. Foundational to these efforts is the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, which provides comprehensive evaluations, management, and care coordination for 350 neurodiverse children annually, ensuring that children with developmental disabilities receive needed resources.
Downstate’s Occupational Therapy Program prepares future healthcare professionals to address accessibility challenges through early childhood intervention training, hands-on wheelchair use experience, and firsthand insights from individuals with disabilities. These immersive experiences foster empathy and expertise in patient-centered, equitable care. Likewise, the Behavior Analysis Program trains clinicians to provide specialized care in underserved communities, equipping them to support individuals with disabilities better and promoting a more inclusive healthcare system.
Through these initiatives, Downstate remains a leader in fostering accessibility, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the highest standard of care while preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to advance inclusive practices.
Thanks to our inspiring speakers, panelists, and the School of Health Professions and Office of Communications & Marketing for making this event a success!
Disability Awareness Conference
Tags: Disability Awareness Conference, Disability, Conference