Women's Health Guide for Women with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities made this guide with help from women with IDD, doctors, and health experts from across Kansas. The Women’s Health Guide helps women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) learn about their health. It shares easy-to-understand tips about eating healthy, taking care of your body, visiting the doctor, staying well, and more. The information comes from real experiences and advice from people who care about good, fair healthcare for everyone.
This guide helps you learn about your body, make good health choices, and feel confident speaking up for yourself. Every woman deserves care that is kind, clear, and respectful—and this guide can help you get it. The Women’s Health Guide has six main parts to help you learn about your body and health care:
Core Components of the Women’s Health Guide
- Women’s Healthcare Basics: This part explains what healthcare is and why it’s important for women with disabilities.
- What to Expect During Doctor Exams: Here you’ll learn what happens at the doctor’s office, what questions doctors might ask, how to get ready for your visit, and what to do after. It also explains some words you might hear at the doctor.
- Staying Healthy, Eating Right, and Wellness: This part talks about eating healthy foods, how to read food labels, and how to stay active to feel your best.
- Reproductive Health: You’ll learn about your body as it changes, including puberty, periods, and pregnancy. It also shows how to use pads and tampons and talks about other topics like menopause and Pap smears.
- Preventable Cancer Screenings: This section explains tests that help doctors find cancer early, like Pap smears and mammograms. It also gives tips on how to talk to your doctor and what to expect at your appointment.
- Requesting Accommodations During Exams and Doctor’s Visits: This last part helps you learn how to speak up for yourself at the doctor’s office, ask for help if you need it, and find people who can support you.
How to Order the Women’s Health Guide
If you would like to order physical copies of the KCDD Women’s Health Guide for your organization, please fill out the form below and a member of the KCDD team will reach out to you to confirm your request. You can contact the council at the Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson, Room 569, Topeka KS 66612, or reach them via phone at (913) 953-7670.