Advocacy
Children with Chronic Conditions
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health
Medical Education
Palliative Care
Trainee
Dennis Kuo, MD, MHS (he/him/his)
Professor of Pediatrics
Golisano Children's Hospital at The University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York, United States
Ableism is discrimination against disabled people. Its recognition is integral to addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in academic pediatrics. One in six children has a disability, and an estimated 8% of medical students and the broader health care workforce report a disability, although this is likely underreported. Despite legal protections and increasing recognition of discrimination, people with disabilities continue to face significant disparities in health care access, health outcomes, and quality of care. Recognition and mitigation of ableism is integral to improving child health and family well-being as well as supporting a diverse healthcare workforce.
In recent years, academic pediatrics has increasingly recognized the impact of ableism in clinical care encounters, institutions and systems, and workforce development. Families of children with disabilities report significant barriers in care access, fragmented care, and dehumanization. Session attendees will learn about the latest research on ableism in pediatric clinical care, how the life course of children with disabilities is impacted by ableism, and how academic pediatric institutions and systems may perpetuate ableism. The presenters will review disability bias, studies of quality of life assumptions, system barriers including insurance gaps and home health supports, and clinician unwillingness to provide care. Our session will also present on ableism in pediatric workforce development and trainee support, and the impact of disability curricula through equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts. The presenters have extensive experience with disability systems, lived experience, research, and workforce training, including intersectionality between ableism and structural determinants of health.
Speaker: Dennis Z. Kuo, MD, MHS (he/him/his) – Golisano Children's Hospital at The University of Rochester Medical Center
Speaker: Carolyn C. Foster, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Speaker: Stefanie G. Ames, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – University of Utah School of Medicine
Speaker: Allysa Ware, PhD, MSW (she/her/hers) – Family Voices
Speaker: Stefanie G. Ames, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – University of Utah School of Medicine
Speaker: Carolyn C. Foster, MD, MS (she/her/hers) – Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Speaker: Allysa Ware, PhD, MSW (she/her/hers) – Family Voices
