Women's Health Resources

Offsite Publications

Breast Self-Examination, A New Approach. Especially modified for women with physical or sensory limitations. BHAWD, 2001 Dwight Way, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Voice (510) 204-4866, TTY (510) 204-4574.

Health Care Tool Kit…for individuals with disabilities and the people who support them. A workbook designed for consumers with developmental disabilities and their caregivers to improve direct communication between the health care provider and the person with a disability. Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities, PO Box 7851, Madison, WI 53707. Voice: (608)266-7826; TDD: (608)266-6660; Fax: (608)267-3906 http://www.wcdd.org/publications

Table Manners and Beyond: The Gynecological Exam for Women with Developmental Disabilities and Other Functional Limitations This booklet details the needs for gyn services for women with disabilities, alternative positions for the pelvic exam, transfer methods and the client’s rights and responsibilities. Produced by Kathleen Lankasky. Collaborate effort between UCP of the Golden Gate and Regional Center of the East Bay, 510-278-0106, Klankasky@aol.com http://www.bhawd.org/sitefiles

Multiplying Choices: Improving Access to Reproductive Health Services For Women with Disabilities. Berkeley Policy Associates, 4400 Grand Avenue, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94610. Voice (510) 465-7884, TD (510) 465-4493.

Women with Physical Disabilities Achieving and Maintaining Health and Well-Being. Krotosky D, Nosek MA, Turk MA (eds.) Brookes Publishing, 1996. www.amazon.com

Breast Self-Examination: A Handbook for Women with disabilities
Disabled Women's Network Ontario. http://dawn.thot.net/BSE_Handbook.html
This online handbook provides a general overview of breast health issues including breast self-exam, mammography, and reasons to take care of your breasts. The document contains information about providing alternatives services to women with disabilities.

Women First: Breast Health for Women with Developmental Disabilities.
Laramie: Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, 2004. http://wind.uwyo.edu/breasthealth/handbook.htm
This guide was developed to help women with developmental disabilities learn basic breast health information. Written in an easy to read format, the images and simple text introduce the concepts of taking care of your self, breast health, monthly self-exams, and annual medical visits. The guide provides a yearly calendar that women can track their monthly breast exams and annual visits.

Barriers to Reproductive Health Maintenance Among Women with Physical Disabilities. Nosek MA, Young ME, Rintala DH, Howland BA, Foley CC, Bennett JL. J Women’s Health, Vol.4, No. 5: 505-518, 1995.

Organizations

The National Women’s Health Information Center
8550 Arlington Blvd., Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22031, (1-800-994-9662) or 1-888-220-5446 for the hearing impaired. http://www.4woman.gov/wwd/index.htm

Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities (BHAWD)
BHAWD c/o Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Herrick Campus, Rehabilitation Services, 2001 Dwight Way, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704 Voice (510) 204-4866 TDD (510) 204-4574; Fax (510) 204-5892
http://www.bhawd.org/

Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD)
3440 Richmond Avenue, Suite B - Houston, Texas 77046
Phone: 713-960-0505 Toll Free: 800-44-CROWD; Fax: 713-961-3555
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/crowd/

Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities
Villanova University - College of Nursing, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085 (610) 519-4922
http://www.nursing.villanova.edu/WomenWithDisabilities/welcome.htm

Mammacare
930 NW 8th St., Gainesville, FL 32601 (800) 626-2273
http://www.mammacare.com/

Videos

Let's Talk About Health: What Every Woman Should Know.
A video and curriculum workbook that is designed to help women with developmental disabilities feel more prepared for pelvic and breast exams. The video takes the viewer through each exam step by step in a calm and informative manner. Heaton, C, Roberts, BS, Murphy, L, Meagher, M, Randall, D. , The Arc of New Jersey, Women's Health Project, 985 Livingston Ave., North Brunswick, NJ, 08902.
Phone: 732-246-2525, Ext. 28

Reproductive Health for Women with Spinal Cord Injury Part I: The Gynecological Examination.
A video targeted to medical professionals working with women with spinal cord injury and other mobility impairments. It reviews transfer methods and positioning for gynecologic exams and special considerations. UAB Medical Rehabilitation Research and Training Center in Secondary Complications in Spinal Cord Injury, 1717 6th Avenue South, Room 506, Birmingham, AL 35233-7330. Phone: (205) 934-3283

The Gyn Exam.
A video and handbook with teacher’s guides and photos. The video takes the viewer through a breast and pelvic exam step-by-step. Stanfield and Co., PO Box 1983, Santa Monica, CA 90406 (213) 395-7466

My Body, My Responsibility: A Health Education video for Deaf Women
University of Rochester, NY, 2003.
This video serves to educate young deaf women on important health care issues. It portrays two young women, one with concerns about puberty, and the other who maker her first gynecological visit. Detailed information is provided on how to conduct a breast self-exam. The video models using a sign language interpreter in a healthcare setting.

Our Own Breast Advocates: Breast Health for Women with Disabilities
This video presents four women with disabilities learning breast self-exam routines. Techniques are adapted to meet the needs of each individual and demonstrations are given showing a partner or care provider conducting the examination. Available in Spanish. Video/Action Productions, 1999. Can be purchased from ACOG bookstore or Fanlight Productions.