Equality and Equity of Access to Healthcare for People with Intellectual Disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities often have poorer health than the wider population and may experience a range of barriers when seeking to access healthcare. However many of these barriers have been identified as being both modifiable and avoidable. Inequalities and inequities in healthcare have thus been identified. Promoting equal and equitable access to healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities requires a range of responses at a number of different levels involving a number of key stakeholders. Four key domains where change is required are thus explored (practice, education, policy and research) and some practical strategies for achieving change are identified. It is argued that the provision of additional support to people with intellectual disabilities is justified since it is appropriate recognition of their additional needs.