This research study is a participatory exploration of the experience of people in accessing health care. The study highlights barriers and personal accounts from people who were excluded in accessing health care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.

The study employed two qualitative research methods to gather information: storytelling and co-design. People with lived experience of health care exclusion shared stories of barriers they experienced in accessing and receiving health care during the pandemic.

As part of the co-design sessions, participants (who are referred to as ‘co-designers’) designed and participated in collaborative design exercises aimed at developing improvements to existing health care barriers. Co-designers worked together to design approaches to address common barriers, and developed recommendations to support meaningful consultations with the disability community.