The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the British Retail Consortium to highlight concerns about people with disabilities who are not on the Government’s list of clinically vulnerable people, and their access to food and essential items.
“The global pandemic is causing significant levels of fear and uncertainty, and we know that it is having a considerable impact on people with disabilities. The government’s first priority is to protect people’s safety, and its response necessarily includes decisions beyond the scope of normal governing. But we need to make sure that people with disabilities are not forgotten” said Equality and Human Rights Commission CEO, Rebecca Hilsenrath.
“From life and death clinical decisions and access to a fair trial, to the policing of social distancing, being able to work effectively at home, receive safe and appropriate care and complete their food shopping, many people with disabilities are not receiving the support they need and to which they are entitled.
“We understand and support the need to save lives and protect the NHS but, with current restrictions in place for the foreseeable future, we must also support those most in need. Protecting every part of society needs to be part of our country’s response and should define who we are when we emerge from the current crisis. We are speaking to the medical, criminal justice and retail sectors, among others, on how we can work together to make sure that disabled people are not left further behind during this emergency.
“We must also begin to plan now for the future. Current reductions and restrictions on protections and rights must be lifted at the right time and in ways which recognise their particular impacts on people with disabilities.”
