Most Valuable Providers (MVP)
We partner to improve equity and access to vaccinations and other health care services.
Who We Are: The Autism Alliance of Michigan, Disability Rights Michigan, and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) each received COVID-19 Supplement IV grants to ensure greater equity and access to vaccinations and other health care services for people disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Our organizations have joined together to optimize the collective impact of our funding.
View and download the MVP Certification flyer
Our vision is to create healthy communities for all.
To achieve this vision and sustain our efforts long-term, we are inviting health providers to become a Most Valuable Provider (MVP). MVPs offer vaccination and health clinic experiences that are accessible and welcoming to all people across Michigan, including people with disabilities.
American Public Health Association (APHA) Features MVP
Why is MVP Needed?
- Disability is Common: 1 in 4 adults in the United States has a disability.
- People with Disabilities Experience Health Disparities: including higher rates of diabetes, stroke, COPD, cancer, and depression compared to those without disabilities.
- People with Disabilities are Disproportionately Affected by COVID: People with disabilities were 6x more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without disabilities.
- People with Disabilities Experience Barriers to Adequate Health Care Including:
- Attitudinal: Ableism, stereotyping, stigma, and discrimination.
- Physical: Obstacles that prevent access or block mobility such as curbs and steps.
- Transportation: Lack of adequate and accessible transportation.
- Social determinants of health: Including lack of affordable and accessible housing, and lower rates of employment, education, and income.
- Lack of Disability Data Perpetuates Disparities: We measure what we treasure.
- Data collection is a fundamental pillar of public health.
- Inaccurate/inadequate data can misguide public health responses.
- We can't show how we are moving the needle on disparities without disability status.
Sources: Disability, Health Equity & COVID-19, https://nihcm.org/publications/disability-health-equity. Published Sept 21, 2021. MDHHS Guidelines & Best Practices for Accessibility at Michigan Vaccination Sites. Updated May 11, 2021.
In the News.
- April 2024 - Article highlighting MVP and How data collection is playing a key role in advancing health equity.
- November 2023 - Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute and MVP Project accomplishments highlighted in APHA's Thought Leadership Film Series
- June, 2022 - Listen to the MI-DDI Possibilities Podcast MVP episode. MVP Project leaders discuss how the project is working improve access to vaccinations and other health care services for persons with disabilities and their families.
- June 10, 2022 - MI-DDI Co-hosts Vaccination, Health Clinic for People with Disabilities and their Families
- May 27, 2022 - Wayne Health Mobile Unit to unveil new Americans with Disabilities-compliant van
- January 24, 2022: MI-DDI, Wayne State receive $7M grant to address equitable access to vaccines for Michigan residents disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
For More Information
If you have questions about MVP or how your agency or department can become MVP Certified, please contact middi@wayne.edu.
Funding for this project is provided through the COVID-19 Vaccination Supplement 4 by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) and is supported through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, P.L. 116-260 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.