UCHealth — Leading with Awareness, Compassion, and Collaboration
At Ability Specialists, meaningful outcomes are rarely achieved in isolation. They are built through partnerships with organizations willing to listen, learn, and adapt to better serve individuals with diverse needs. One of those standout partners is UCHealth.
A Partnership Rooted in Understanding
In healthcare, interactions are rarely just clinical—they are human. For individuals with behavioral, developmental, or cognitive differences, medical visits can be shaped by past experiences, sensory sensitivities, and emotional triggers.
What makes UCHealth stand out is their commitment to recognizing this reality. Through ongoing collaboration with Ability Specialists, UCHealth’s frontline staff have demonstrated a deep commitment to trauma-informed awareness—approaching every patient with an understanding of how communication, tone, and environment impact outcomes.
Choosing Curiosity Over Assumption
One of the most impactful aspects of this partnership is the mindset of the UCHealth team. Rather than defaulting to frustration when challenges arise, they consistently ask: “How can we do better?”
In moments where interactions become emotionally charged, UCHealth has chosen reflection over reaction. Instead of assigning fault, they work alongside us to understand the "why" behind a behavior and how the environment can be adjusted to support the individual. This shift—from managing a situation to understanding a person—is what makes true partnership possible.
Spotlight on Excellence: Mary at UCHealth
We want to take a moment to highlight Mary, a staff member at UCHealth who perfectly embodies this spirit of growth.
Recently, Mary reached out to intentionally seek feedback on how she could better support an individual in our services. She listened with openness, reflected deeply on her own approach, and immediately embraced suggestions on how to bring more intention to her work.
This kind of initiative—rooted in collaboration and grace—is exactly what we look for in a community partner. Thank you, Mary, for showing up wholeheartedly for the people we serve. Your dedication makes a meaningful difference every day.
From Challenge to Solution: The Training Series
What began as real-world challenges has evolved into a solution-driven training series designed to support both healthcare providers and patients. Together, Ability Specialists and UCHealth are developing resources focused on:
Effective Communication: Strategies for diverse cognitive needs.
Behavioral Insights: Understanding the link between diagnoses and responses.
Environmental Awareness: Recognizing emotional triggers and sensory sensitivities.
Disability Justice: Building awareness around ableism in healthcare settings.
Looking Ahead
True partnership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about the willingness to learn. By taking ownership of every interaction and seeking to improve, the team at UCHealth is helping create a safer, more supportive healthcare landscape for everyone.
At Ability Specialists, we are proud to stand alongside partners who don’t just deliver care—they transform how care is felt.