On December 3, the College was pleased to partner with the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario to host a webinar on Addressing Ableism in Health Care, presented by Dr. Hilary Brown (University of Toronto). Held on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the session offered an important opportunity to reflect on how health systems – including midwifery care – can more effectively identify, interrupt, and prevent ableism.
Throughout the session, Dr. Brown highlighted how ableism can emerge in clinical interactions, decision-making, and health policy, and emphasized the importance of inclusive, person-centred approaches to care. These discussions closely align with the College’s Professional Standard for Midwives which require registrants to provide person-centred care that respects each client’s individual needs, preferences, and lived experiences.
Key Takeaways from Addressing Ableism in Health Care
- Ableism is baked into our medical structures and systems, owing to a history of institutionalization and eugenics that continues to impact health care.
- Pregnancy and parenting in people with disabilities continues to be marked by stigma and misunderstanding.
- Medical ableism continues to create significant barriers to accessing care, influences how care is delivered and received, and perpetuates inequitable outcomes.
- There are many practical steps health professionals can take to address ableist barriers and empower clients with disabilities.
Resources for Further Learning and Engagement
- Public Health Nursing Practice, Research, and Education Program (PHN-PREP) Professional Resource – Supporting People with Disabilities in Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery, and Postpartum: Resources for Public Health Nurses
- Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) Clinical Resource – Clients with Disabilities
- Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) Resources – Tailoring Pregnancy Care for People with Disabilities & Accessible Pregnancy Care Planning Toolkit
We will be posting the webinar to our website in the coming weeks so that all midwives are able to review it in their own time.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is recognized annually and is a global call to action to strengthen inclusion, dignity, and equity for people with disabilities. We thank everyone who attended the webinar and encourage all registrants to continue deepening their learning as part of our shared commitment to accessible, person-centred care.