Beyond Vulnerability

Abstract

Living with chronic and serious illness confers vulnerability for many at the time of diagnosis and for some throughout the course of the illness as functional abilities decline. Individuals with disabilities often experience worse health and more systemic barriers to accessing quality healthcare than members of the general population. In addition, many individuals with disabilities experience healthcare disparities and engage with systems ill equipped to provide them with quality healthcare. In the United States, individuals with disabilities are often underserved and are without healthcare insurance coverage, access to quality palliative care services, and the ability to pay for needed services. Social workers will engage with individuals with these and other conditions in a variety of settings and need to be prepared to adapt their practice approach based on their individual needs and advocate for policy and systems of care that maximize agency and enhance access to care.