Adults with disabilities face substantial challenges in accessing behavioral health care for substance use disorders (SUD) and suicidality. To explore these challenges, the Urban Institute, with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts, conducted studies to identify the barriers and facilitators that help provide effective behavioral health services for this group, focusing on SUD and suicidality. The project used a mixed-methods approach to explore these challenges, combining rapid literature reviews and expert interviews, including individuals with lived expertise.

The research identified several barriers, including inaccessible health care facilities, uncertainty about the effectiveness of screening and treatment methods for people with specific disabilities, screening and treatment tools that aren’t adapted to meet their needs, and a lack of provider awareness in disability-related needs. People with lived expertise also emphasized the importance of peer support programs, like 12-step groups.

Based on these insights, the project offers recommendations to improve care, including promoting disability-inclusive practices, developing tailored screening and treatment protocols, involving individuals with disabilities in care development and delivery, and advancing whole-person, trauma-informed strategies. The research resulted in four detailed reports to guide policymakers, researchers, and care providers and two plain-language summaries to promote accessibility for low-literacy audiences and support the development of a more equitable and inclusive behavioral health care system for disabled adults.