Empowering Health Care Students: UNM Health Sciences Center Librarian’s Inspiring Disability Awareness Training

Ingrid Hendrix is dedicated to improving healthcare for people with disabilities. As a leader at the Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center (HSLIC) at The University of New Mexico, she works to teach future healthcare professionals how to interact with patients compassionately and respectfully.

“A quarter of the U.S. population has some form of disability,” Ingrid notes. She believes this number could be higher, as stigma often prevents people from reporting their disabilities. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that anyone can face disabilities at any time.

Having limb-girdle muscular dystrophy herself, Ingrid knows firsthand how critical respectful care is. She wants more healthcare providers to be aware of the barriers people with disabilities face. “Many avoid seeking care due to negative past experiences,” she explains. “I want to help change that.”

Ingrid has developed a unique curriculum focused on training healthcare professionals. Her goal is to teach them effective ways to ask questions and engage with disabled patients. She encourages her students to think of disability not as a tragedy but as part of a person’s identity. This perspective shift can foster better practices in healthcare.

“It’s important to treat everyone with respect and without assumptions,” she says. She highlights that many disabled individuals work harder to prove their capabilities. This is a point echoed by many in advocacy roles; treating individuals equitably leads to better health outcomes and deeper community involvement.

Ingrid’s work extends beyond the classroom. She’s currently helping introduce an 18-month disability awareness curriculum at Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital. This initiative is endorsed by the New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability. It covers everything from assistive technology to effective communication strategies with people who are blind or deaf.

Ingrid’s mission is clear: increase disability awareness in healthcare education so that future providers can engage confidently with disabled patients. “All health profession students will interact with patients with disabilities at some point in their careers,” she emphasizes.

As healthcare evolves, understanding and empathy will be essential. By fostering open dialogues about disabilities, professionals can ensure better care and build a more inclusive society. “Our best lives can be supported by healthcare professionals who listen and adapt,” Ingrid states, driving home her commitment to advocacy.

Ingrid’s work highlights the continuous need for education in healthcare. Discussions about disabilities must be normalized to improve care and experiences for everyone involved.

For more insights on disability inclusivity in healthcare, check out [this report by the CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/infographic-disability-in-the-united-states.html) which offers important statistics and analysis related to disability awareness.

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