My Voice – Amplifying the Voices of People with Intellectual Disabilities in the Medical System

ULTRASOUND SOLUTIONS CORP. presents Eva-Elizabeth Chisholm, MSSW, Human Services Leader at L’Arche Greater Washington, DC, for a discussion on how to better understand and deal with challenges in obtaining healthcare for patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Description:

This 1-hour virtual event is designed to help raise awareness among Sonographers about how to be more inclusive to people with intellectual disabilities, as well as give an understanding of the challenges these patients face when accessing healthcare. In addition to Ms. Chisholm, the audience will hear directly from a L’Arche GWDC Core Member (adult with intellectual disability) for their first-hand perspective. The course will give practical advice, such as how to ensure your waiting/exam room and office space are accessible and not over-stimulating, how to communicate respectfully, and how to help make patients feel at ease and cooperate during imaging exams. By removing obstacles (physical and otherwise) and by creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for the intellectually disabled, the patient will have a better experience and the Sonographer will be able to provide a more diagnostic study. (Approved for 1 SDMS CME credit)

Course Objectives: Upon completion of this educational activity, the participant will be able to:

• State the challenges people with intellectual disabilities may face when accessing medical care
• Describe how to make physical spaces accessible for various needs
• List methods that assist in working with patients with intellectual disabilities in ways that are inclusive and effective, such as tools for communicating, navigating different needs, working equitably with a patient and caregiver team, and creating a comfortable atmosphere

About Our Speaker:

Eva-Elizabeth Chisholm, BA, MSSW, is the Human Services Leader at L’Arche Greater Washington, DC, overseeing all of the support systems for L’Arche Community Members with intellectual disabilities. Eva-Elizabeth first came to L’Arche in 2011 after finishing her Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. Eva-Elizabeth served as a Direct Support Professional and Service Team Leader for four years, transitioned to supporting the Service Team with program development, and then stepped into her role as Human Services Leader in Fall 2017.

Eva-Elizabeth works closely with L’Arche GWDC Core Members (adults with intellectual disabilities) who come from many different backgrounds. All of them have chosen to live at L’Arche, where they have opportunities to lead committees and events, pursue their hobbies and interests, and be part of a diverse community. Core Members take the lead in welcoming others and modeling how to build and grow communities based on true inclusion. Core Members speak in town halls and congressional offices, teach in university classrooms and on panels, and share the mission of inclusion in their churches, workplaces, and wider neighborhoods.

This activity has been approved for 1.0 SDMS CME credit.

The CME participant roster will be reported by Ultrasound Solutions Corp. to the SDMS CME Tracker System.