Persons with disabilities are “forgotten” in the age of COVID-19 by the UK government’s coronavirus strategy, putting “lives at risk”, charities say.
A cross-party group of MPs has written to the prime minister calling for a “disability-inclusive” response, reported BBC.
They say isolation, a lack of social care, and legislation that suspends rights to some council services could all “exacerbate” existing inequalities.
The government said it was “committed to supporting people with disabilities through every stage of this pandemic”.
“We recognise that this is a challenging time for people with disabilities, especially because of the impacts of social distancing and changes to routine,” a spokesperson said.
“As we emerge from this unprecedented time we will continue to work with charities and stakeholders so people with disabilities are at the heart of our recovery.”
But Evan Odell, from Disability Rights UK, expressed concern about the government’s approach.
“They roll out a strategy – but once it’s been announced it seems up to people with disabilities and their organisations to point out things that won’t work for millions of people.
“They’ve failed to keep disabled people in mind with things like social care, personal protective equipment, sign language interpreters at press conferences and providing information in accessible formats.
“The current approach puts lives at risk and increases the impact of isolation and exclusion from society in a profound way.”
Recession fears
A letter signed by 97 MPs and peers – from parties including the Conservatives, Labour, the SNP and the DUP – calls for the government to “re-evaluate its current strategy to ensure social distancing does not lead to exclusion for those with disabilities”.
It also asks the government to accelerate efforts to “include people with disabilities in the government’s economic recovery plan”.
