For most people, contact with a health care provider is initially via a local general practitioner. However, a study undertaken in 2009 showed people with disability encounter access barriers that include narrow hallways, doors being difficult to open and inaccessible reception counters, and a lack of adjustable scanning tables. Additionally, 21 percent of respondents found it difficult to use the bathroom at their GPs clinic515 and over 44 percent of respondents had difficulty accessing a GP examination table.516
Lack of accessible information and attitudinal barriers are significant issues for people who use alternative forms of communication contributing to poor treatment and care in hospitals and in other health care settings.
