Experiences of women with disabilities in accessing maternal healthcare services: A South African Case Study

<p dir="ltr">Many women in South Africa struggle to access maternal healthcare, and those with disabilities often face even greater challenges. This study explored the experiences of twelve women with physical, hearing, and visual impairments in KwaZulu-Natal when using public maternal healthcare services. The findings showed that women with visual impairments had difficulties with narrow passages and information that was not available in accessible formats. Women with hearing impairments struggled with communication due to the lack of sign language interpreters and sometimes faced negative attitudes from healthcare workers. Women with physical impairments experienced problems with inaccessible buildings, small consultation rooms, and medical equipment that could not be adjusted. These barriers highlight the need for more inclusive healthcare policies, better infrastructure, and improved staff training to support women with disabilities.</p>