The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is calling on all Australian governments to ensure that responses to COVID-19 include dedicated strategies and take all necessary measures to protect and support people with disabilities.
The Royal Commission has issued a Statement of Concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disabilities.
Emergency planning and responses of Australian governments should include a specific strategy to provide appropriate guidance, support and funding to meet the particular needs and requirements of people with disabilities.
The Royal Commission has heard directly from people with disability who are, like many in the broader community, very anxious about the Coronavirus pandemic. We have also heard that this anxiety is exacerbated by the feeling that they are being left behind or ignored in government and community responses.
People with disability, particularly First Nations people with disability, may be disproportionately affected by the pandemic due to increased risk of infection, higher number of co‑morbidities and because of underlying health conditions such as chronic diseases and respiratory illnesses.
The Royal Commission has heard from members of the community that people with disability:
- continue to face barriers in accessing health care, including prevention, screening and treatment for COVID-19
- are unable to access regular and vital medications and therapeutic services due to low supplies and restrictions in access
- may not have access to mental health services at a time when the need for accessible and responsive mental health is heightened
- are unable to easily access essential health supplies to keep themselves safe, such as personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser and sterilising equipment
- are worried that discrimination or unconscious bias could impact their access to critical and lifesaving health care during this crisis.
The Royal Commission calls on the government to take all reasonable steps to ensure access to and the provision of appropriate health care to all persons with disabilities.
