University Honors

Individuals with disabilities in the Inland Empire face significant barriers to healthcare access, even despite the legal policies in place aimed at promoting equitable medical services. The Inland Empire of Southern California, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, has a population exceeding 4.6 million. According to recent data from the California Health Interview Survey, as of 2016, approximately 29.2% of adults in Riverside County reported having a disability (UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, 2016). This systematic review examines both the experiences of disabled individuals and the structural barriers that impact healthcare access and covers both established health centers and clinics within the Inland Empire to provide a comprehensive analysis of accessibility challenges and patient experiences. A systematic search of the literature and case studies was conducted, and 12 studies published from 2000 onward were selected for the review. Articles were selected based on relevance to key accessibility issues, with data extracted on study population, disability type, methodology, and healthcare barriers. The search yielded a wide variety of articles however they were only included in the review if they fit the predefined inclusion criteria. Key barriers identified include physical inaccessibility inside of healthcare facilities, limited accessible transportation options to get to the facility. Beyond these structural inequities, patients with disabilities frequently report feeling misunderstood or overlooked in clinical settings. Many express frustration with communication barriers. These experiences contribute to feelings of medical mistrust, often leading individuals to avoid seeking necessary care. However, this review also touches on the positive experiences that were found among the studies. Findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, including the enforcement of design standards in healthcare facilities, expansion of paratransit services, and notably: comprehensive disability-focused training for all healthcare staff, including providers and front desk personnel. Addressing both structural and experiential barriers is critical to advancing equitable healthcare access for patients with disabilities in the Inland Empire.