Martha Twibanire’s experience, along with many others, highlights the persistent problem of wheelchair users being denied access to mammograms in Quebec and beyond. This barrier has been known for years, yet the situation has not improved.
Advocacy groups like RAPLIQ have repeatedly drawn attention to this issue, with their latest survey revealing that nearly half of the clinics surveyed cannot accommodate wheelchair users. Clinics cite various reasons, including building accessibility and limitations of mammogram machines.
Linda Gauthier, RAPLIQ’s co-founder, emphasizes that these excuses often mask unwillingness to provide accessible services. She describes her own humiliating experience and the feeling of being a burden.
The Quebec government has denounced the situation, promising to remind screening centers of their obligation to provide access. However, experts argue that more needs to be done to ensure compliance.
Kirsten Sharpe, a disability inclusion advocate in Vancouver, highlights the importance of education and training for healthcare professionals. She notes that access issues can vary even within the same location, depending on who answers the phone.
The New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities has successfully advocated for the installation of mammogram chairs in hospitals, making it easier for people with physical disabilities to access screenings.
Agnes Berthelot-Raffard, a health policy expert at York University, emphasizes the broader implications of healthcare barriers for people with disabilities. She highlights the distrust that can develop towards the system and the potential risk to lives.
Experts call on governments to prioritize accessible healthcare for people with disabilities, including proper training for professionals and involving them in decision-making processes.
