FLORIDA DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COUNCIL, INC.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (FDDC #2007-HC-5100)

Literature Review: Health Access for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC) announces the availability of a Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP is being issued to enhance the information base necessary for the FDDC continued efforts to improve the delivery of services to the state’s children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Poor access to preventive health care services among people with disabilities is a serious public health concern. Low rates of health care usage among individuals with disabilities can lead to decreased health status, including the delayed treatment of chronic illness and failure to prevent secondary conditions. Early detection is pivotal for many illnesses, yet for some individuals with developmental disabilities, health care services are simply out of reach.

In the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), public accommodations also include medical care services, a unique aspect of the law. Access to health care in the United States ambulatory settings continues to cause disparities in health care due to a lack of appropriate accommodations. The ADA calls for accessibility in health care for people with disabilities. Evidence, however, supports that the health care system has not responded to the basic needs of individuals with disabilities. The ADA establishes fundamental principles that apply to health care providers and sets the stage for examining and reshaping the way health care is delivered.

The purpose of this project is to examine the existing literature to identify studies, research papers, and similar efforts that address access to health care for individuals with developmental disabilities and to summarize the studies and their results. It will look for literature that explores the extent to which people with disabilities experience problems and barriers to receiving health care services in Florida, whether the literature analyzes the causes, and offers potential remedies for overcoming known barriers. In addition, a determination will be made of whether a previous review of the Florida health care system in the context of adherence to ADA requirements has been conducted.

The selected provider will conduct a review of the literature related to health care access for individuals with developmental disabilities. This review of the literature will be comprehensive and will include the academic literature, materials available through the internet, foundations, government publications, and other sources. The provider will summarize and analyze each document selected, discussing strengths and weaknesses. The literature review will present concluding implications for future review or inquiry.

Copies of this RFP will be available from the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, 124 Marriott Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, FL 32301, (850)488-4180 or Toll Free 1(800)580-7801 or TDD Toll Free 1(888)488-8633. The deadline for submitting letters of intent and written questions is prior to 4:00 p.m. (EST), on January 8, 2007. The deadline for submitting proposals is prior to 2:00 p.m. (EST), on February 19, 2007. Letters of Intent will only be accepted by fax, mail, or hand delivery. Letters of Intent by e-mail will not be accepted.