Public Health is for Everyone An inclusive planning toolkit for public health professionals

Many public health, health promotion and human services programs use elements of peer support as a way of connecting people with shared experiences and program goals. For example, online health communities and social networks can help connect people with similar health conditions and can play a supporting role in navigating the health care system. This webinar provides examples of public health programs that have used peer support as a tool for involving and motivating participants and impacting public health outcomes. Panel members shared specific examples from their programs, and participated in a question and answer session on this issue.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

In response to the Surgeon General's A Call to Action to Improve the Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities, the U.S. Office on Disability, in collaboration with the Department of Labor Office on Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), initiated a National Work Group to ensure that medical, nursing and dental students receive training in providing high-quality care to patients with disabilities.

As part of this work, AUCD and the Training Directors Council are pleased to host the Electronic Tool Kit of pre-service curricular materials, directed to the needs of patients with disabilities, for use by medical, nursing and dental schools. Whenever possible, we have indicated where effectiveness studies have been conducted for each tool.

This tool kit has direct links, whenever possible, to web-based materials, and contact information for obtaining materials available in other formats (e.g., DVDs, etc.). The five topical areas are by intended audiences:

- Medical students/residents
- Dental students
- Nursing students
- Interdisciplinary (applicable across two or more of the above disciplines)
- Other (general knowledge about developmental disabilities, family-centered care, etc.)

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) is proposing accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment. The proposed standards contain minimum technical criteria to ensure that medical diagnostic equipment, including examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, mammography equipment, and other imaging equipment used by health care providers for diagnostic purposes are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The standards will allow independent entry to, use of, and exit from the equipment by individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)

Developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other cognitive disabilities create challenges in accomplishing daily activities, especially self-care activities. People with these disabilities may need extra help to achieve and maintain good health, which includes oral health. To achieve and maintain good oral health, people with mild or moderate developmental disabilities often require a special approach to dental care. This resource provides the newest research on developmental disabilities and oral health and information on finding a dental care provider.