July marks Disability Pride Month, a time to honor the contributions, culture, and experiences of people with disabilities of the more than 61 million adults in the United States living with a disability. First celebrated after the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990, this month serves not only as a celebration but also as a call to action to promote accessibility and dignity in every facet of life – including health care. 

Community Health Centers (CHCs) have long been at the forefront of addressing barriers to care, especially for underserved populations. During Disability Pride Month, we recognize and amplify the work CHCs are doing to improve health access and outcomes for all people, including individuals with disabilities. 

Health Care Barriers for People with Disabilities 

Despite some advances, people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers when seeking care: 

• According to the CDC, adults with disabilities are more than twice as likely to report unmet health care needs due to cost (32% vs. 12%). 

• A 2022 report from the National Council on Disability found that only 40.7% of practicing physicians felt “very confident” in their ability to provide the same quality of care to patients with disabilities as they do to others. 

• Furthermore, 72% of adults with disabilities report not receiving necessary accommodations in health care settings, a gap that can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and preventable complications. 

These challenges are often compounded for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who may experience communication barriers, inaccessible exam equipment, or care environments that lack sensory-friendly adaptations.  

Health Access and Disability: The CHC Response 

Across the CHC network, providers are rising to meet this challenge by embedding whole-person care into care delivery. Achievable Health, a federally qualified health center in California, is a powerful example. Their model of care centers on the needs of individuals with IDD, tailoring their approach to accommodate a wide range of abilities and preferences. 

Achievable Health’s implementation of accessible non-clinical factors of health screening tools allows them to identify the unique barriers affecting their patients outside the clinic walls. Their workflows are adapted to ensure that accommodations are not an afterthought but an integral part of high-quality care. The result? Equal or better health outcomes for patients with IDD, demonstrating that intentional accessibility efforts drive measurable impact. 

NACHC’s Role: Supporting Healthcare Access 

NACHC is committed to supporting CHCs in building systems of care that improve health for all people. Through training, resource development, and communities of practice, NACHC is helping health centers: 

• Implement non-clinical factors of health screening tools that capture the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. 

• Develop partnerships with disability-focused organizations to improve referral systems and response. 

• Build provider confidence through education and peer learning opportunities focused on whole-person care. 

Whole-Person Care at NACHC’s 2025 Community Health Conference & EXPO 

This Disability Pride Month let’s celebrate progress and push further! Ensuring access to person-centered care for all is not just the right thing to do; it’s central to the mission of Community Health Centers.  

NACHC’s 2025 Community Health Conference (CHI) & EXPO will feature engaging sessions focused on advancing whole-person care for every community. We invite you to be part of the conversation in Chicago on Tuesday, August 19 at 9:45 AM CT for: 

Invisible No More: Ensuring Health Access for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 

This session will highlight how accessible screening strategies and care models can help close gaps in care for individuals with IDD. Attendees will gain practical tools for adapting workflows, training staff, and building community partnerships—approaches that improve outcomes for patients with IDD and can enhance care across all populations. 

Explore the full conference schedule and register today: NACHC’s 2025 Community Health Conference & EXPO