Increasing Access to Quality Healthcare for People with Disabilities

This online learning module series aims to increase quality healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Disability-specific education is not required in many graduate healthcare programs including medical residencies, and as a result, people with disabilities face inequities in access to equitable, supportive care.

These learning materials aim to support learners in understanding ways to support people with disabilities including understanding contributing background to inequities in care, then moving to practical strategies through communication support, ways to access to resources and supports in the community, mental and behavioral health case studies, and working with an interdisciplinary team to provide care.

Each module includes stories of lived experience from patients with disabilities and caregivers, resources to support patients and continue learning, and references for application to practice.

1. Discuss barriers and pitfalls for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
2. Apply strategies for involving individuals with IDD in achieving their healthcare goals and maximizing their outcomes.
3. Discuss decision making in advance of the 18th birthday for all patients with IDD.
4. Identify practical strategies to consider for office visits.
5. Identify transitions throughout the lifespan for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), physical disabilities, and their supporters.
6. Describe the unique medical and social needs of this complex population.
7. Identify the various systems of care for people with disabilities and how they interact.
8. Compare tangible resources which can be used in the clinic setting.
9. Identify barriers to behavioral health treatment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
10. Identify the ways in which behavioral health concerns can manifest in people with IDD.
11. Discuss the role of medication management in the primary care setting.
12. Discuss the role of family caregivers and healthcare transitions.
13. Discuss alternative forms of communication.
14. Identify the role therapy plays in supporting people with IDD.
15. Explore different ways professionals can work together to support people with IDD.
16. Identify the ways in which various disciplines support patients and interact with each other.

In support of improving patient care, Thomas Jefferson University is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians: This educational activity is designated for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ^TM . Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: This activity awards 3.75 nursing contact hours.

Other Healthcare Professionals: This educational activity is designated for 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ^TM. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Agenda
Agenda subject to change without notice.

Cancellation Policy
Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing and received in the Office of CPD two weeks prior to the start date of the course. There will be no refunds after this period.*  Cancellations notified before the two week time frame will incur a 25% administration fee (with a minimum of $20).  Registrants who fail to attend the conference are responsible for the entire fee.  All refunds will be processed after the conference.  The University reserves the right to cancel or postpone this course due to unforeseen circumstances.  In the event of cancellation or postponement, the University will refund registration fees, but is not responsible for related costs or expenses to participants, including cancellation fees assessed by hotels, airlines or travel agencies. Registration fees will be refunded less a 15% administration fee to international conference registrants who are unable to secure a travel visa. Registrants must provide proof of visa denial. Email [email protected] - please include the activity name in the subject line.

Jefferson Release Policy
Jefferson may record/livestream/photograph this educational activity. These images/recordings, along with your name, may be used in Jefferson publications or on the Jefferson website. If you verbally submit any questions for Q&A sessions, you are agreeing to be recorded and to have that recording available in enduring materials. Once photographed, filmed, recorded, or videotaped, you waive the right of inspection or approval to which such images/recordings may be put and Jefferson has the right to use, publish, reproduce, modify, adapt, and distribute at any time in any manner or medium.

Jefferson HIPAA Policy
As an attendee of this educational activity hosted by Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson University Physicians, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc. (collectively 'Jefferson'), you may gain access to certain proprietary information ('Confidential Information'), including Protected Health Information ('PHI').

By participating in this educational activity, you agree to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information, including all PHI, obtained from any source. You also agree to take all necessary steps to protect such Confidential Information and shall not directly or indirectly disclose or use it in any manner or for any reason, other than as necessary to complete the educational activity. Further, you agree not to take photographs, record in any manner or otherwise reproduce any such Confidential Information. You understand that any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information may result in possible legal action against you by Jefferson whose confidentiality is breached.

Photography and Recording
Unauthorized recording or photography at a Jefferson-sponsored event is strictly prohibited. Individuals found violating this policy will be asked to vacate the activity. No credits or refund will be issued.

Copyright
All rights reserved – Thomas Jefferson University. No part of this program may be used, reproduced, or shared in any manner whatsoever without express written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Thomas Jefferson University adheres to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education and the policies that supplement the Standards.

All planners, faculty, and others in control of educational content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with ACCME defined ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Any conflicts of interests have been mitigated prior to this educational activity. Such disclosures will be available prior to the start of the activity. Jefferson conflict of interest mitigation process may result in changes to the program agenda.

Off-Label/Investigational Use
All faculty/presenters/authors at Thomas Jefferson University sponsored events are required to disclose whether or not their content contains information of commercial products/devices that are unlabeled for use or investigational uses of products not yet approved. Product(s) is/are not included in the labeling approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of disease(s).

Content Disclaimer
The views expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of any manufacturer of pharmaceuticals or devices or Thomas Jefferson University.

It should be noted that the recommendations made herein with regard to the use of therapeutic agents, varying disease states, and assessments of risk, are based upon a combination of clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating presenters. The drug selection and dosage information presented in this activity are believed to be accurate. However, participants are urged to consult all available data on products and procedures before using them in clinical practice.

AI Use in Accredited Content
All faculty, presenters, and authors participating in Thomas Jefferson University–sponsored events must disclose any use of AI in creating or editing content. Disclosures should specify the AI tool’s name, version, and date of use, and briefly describe how it supported the work—for example, drafting, data analysis, or assessment development. They must also identify the model or source, state that all outputs were reviewed and verified by a human (including who conducted the review and how), and indicate whether any prompts or outputs were stored externally.

OCPD Team
No member of the Office of Continuing Professional Development (OCPD) have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Annette M. Donawa, PhD, M.S.Ed | Sarah J. Carmody, MBA, CPTD | Elizabeth Lenz | Chrystyna K. Pospolyta, MPH | Markiya Fagan, MS | Deana Scruggs | Jennifer Turner, CA | Cassie Morgan | Christopher Curran | Jacqueline Coval

Member Information

Role in activity

Nature of Relationship(s) / Name of Ineligible Company(s)

Rosemary Corcoran, MSOT
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Activity/Course Director, Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Emily Mowel, MSW
Social Worker
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Content Reviewer, Faculty

Nothing to disclose

Jane E Tobias, DNP
Golisan Fellow in Developmental Disability Nursing/Assistant Professor
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Nurse Planner

Nothing to disclose

Indigo Harpole, BS
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Other Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Ruby Srivastava, MSc
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Other Planning Committee Member

Nothing to disclose

Nethra S Ankam, MD
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia , PA

Faculty, Physician Planner

Nothing to disclose

Mary M Stephens, MD, MPH
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Physician Planner

Nothing to disclose

Karin Roseman, LCSW
Co-Director, Jefferson FAB Center for Complex Care
Jefferson Health
Philadelphia, PA

Faculty, Social Worker Planner

Nothing to disclose

This educational activity received no commercial or in-kind support.

The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $3,025,222.00 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. Council efforts are those of the grantee and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Copyright © 2026 Thomas Jefferson University and Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Permission to reprint, copy and distribute this work is granted provided that it is reproduced as a whole, distributed at no more than actual cost, and displays this copyright notice. Any other reproduction is strictly prohibited.