Mission & vision

Mission

The mission of the Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education, an interdisciplinary organization, is to advance the availability of effective, appropriate and high quality health care for persons with disabilities by promoting the inclusion of disability-related theory, research, and clinical learning experiences in healthcare training.

Vision

The vision of the Alliance is to be a international leader and resource to support medical, nursing, dental, social work and all other health care and health-related professional curriculums. Additionally, to recognize the benefits to students when they integrate research and evidence-based skills and strategies. The Alliance also aims to establish professional standards and competencies designed to promote and deliver high quality healthcare for all people with disabilities across the lifespan.

Values

The following values guide the Alliance’s activities:

• A collaborative spirit shared among its members;
• A diversity of ideas and viewpoints;
• Participation of individuals representing a range of health care disciplines;
• Full and active participation of individuals living with disabilities in all aspects of healthcare design and delivery;
• A shared belief that persons with disabilities should have equitable access to high quality healthcare, including all preventative care,  based on informed consent and personal choice;
• A shared belief that a definable set of competencies exists for working effectively with persons with disabilities across all disciplines;
• A shared desire to improve the health care encounter for persons with disabilities,and their families or social networks when applicable informed by persons with disabilities;
• A shared desire to promote and support comprehensive federal and state policies that address the healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities;
• A shared belief that patients with disabilities, their families, caregivers,  and social networks should be important participants in their own care process ; and
• A shared belief that people with disabilities, their family members and their social networks are important partners and contributors in the education of health professionals.