Healthcare Disparities & Advocacy - The healthcare industry needs to recognize and address the unique needs of patients with disabilities to avoid misinformed decisions and improve quality of care [3][7][8] - Negative assumptions about patients with disabilities can affect their care, as evidenced by historical eugenics movements and contemporary rationing plans [10][11] - Documenting disability in medical charts is crucial for healthcare organizations to identify gaps, provide necessary supports (accommodations), and improve care quality [15][16][17] - A study involving 53 primary care clinics in Colorado showed that asking patients about disability-related accommodation needs is feasible and doesn't cause patient complaints [17][18] - The story of "David" highlights the potential for medical teams to misunderstand the value and contributions of patients with disabilities, leading to suboptimal care decisions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][12][13][14][15][20][21][22] Disability Statistics & Awareness - Approximately 27% of adults in the United States have a disability, highlighting the prevalence and importance of addressing their needs [9] - People with disabilities are often described as the "invisible minority," indicating a lack of recognition of their value and contributions [9]