What We Do
Our Approach
The Challenge
It is very difficult for people with IDD to get high-quality healthcare that meets their specific needs and preferences. Compared to the general population, they are:
- More likely to have unmet healthcare needs
- More likely to receive lower-quality care
- Less likely to get preventive care services
- More likely to have mental health issues and chronic conditions like diabetes
- More likely to die from COVID-19, suicide, and childbirth complications
What We Do
IEC helps people with IDD and healthcare workers join forces. They work inside the system to change how healthcare providers learn, give care, and get paid.
Why This Is Creating Change
Focusing on the needs of people with IDD helps create better healthcare solutions for everyone. IEC's approach makes the healthcare system more flexible so it can meet each person's unique needs.
- 1 in 20 Americans have IDD
- 66%: how much more the healthcare costs for a person with IDD
- 4x: how much more likely a person with IDD is to be treated badly by healthcare professionals than a person without IDD
- 60%: the percentage of doctors who feel unprepared to provide good care for people with disabilities.
- 3x: how much more likely a person with IDD is to be denied healthcare than a person without IDD
Our Programs
IEC's work has three main focuses. People with IDD are involved in every step of planning and doing the work.
Change how healthcare is TAUGHT: So all healthcare providers feel ready to give great care to people with IDD.
Change how healthcare is designed and DELIVERED: So that it puts people with IDD first.
Change how healthcare is PAID FOR: So doctors can give good care that meets all the needs of people with IDD.
Highlight ADVOCACY + POLICY: So that people with IDD are always the main focus in our work.
Taught
ABC3: Action to Build Clinical Confidence and Culture
Teaches doctors and other healthcare providers new ways to care for people with IDD. This helps them give fair and good care.
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Delivered
SCANS: Seamless Care Alliance of Nassau and Suffolk
Improves care to prevent ER visits, make ER care better, and help people with IDD return to their communities more easily
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Paid For
IIDDEAL (Individuals with IDD Engaged, Aligned, and Leading): Outcomes That Matter
Changes what parts of healthcare are tracked to make sure care focuses on what matters most to each person with IDD
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Making IDD Visible
Changes how health information is studied to give people with IDD more control, get them the services they need, and fix unfairness
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Combining Healthcare Know-How and Personal Drive
IEC can make real changes in healthcare for people with IDD.
IEC was started by healthcare workers who have loved ones with IDD. They know how hard it is to get help.
Our team also knows how the healthcare system works. This lets us bring many groups together, make plans that include everyone, and fight for a fair system.