The beginning of 2020 has been an extensively challenging time for individuals globally. COVID-19 played a contributing role in deteriorating the financial, emotional, and physical health of the masses at large. However, the pandemic was a particularly difficult time for individuals with disabilities.
Here are a few challenges faced by people with disabilities during the spread of COVID-19.
1. Inability to Wear a Mask:
Certain individuals suffering from underlying health conditions or disabilities were unable to wear a mask during the COVID-19 outbreak which made it difficult for them to remain safe in public or crowded places.
For instance, an individual would find it difficult to breathe properly with a mask, as it might trigger their post-traumatic stress disorder or negative feelings associated with a mask.
Some individuals might suffer from panic or anxiety attacks with a mask. Not wearing a face mask might force people with disabilities to isolate or cut off from the outside world which can lead to feelings of depression or loneliness.
2. Negative Impact of Social Distancing
Social Distancing has played a substantial contributing factor in controlling the coronavirus outbreak. While it has been a positive asset, it has also proved to be a negative for most people with disabilities, especially for the elderly who require extra assistance from a caregiver due to their physical or sensory disabilities.
3. Lack of Access to Physical Needs
People who are visually impaired, blind, or have a low vision require special printed material in a large font, electronic, or braille format. Deaf or visually impaired patients might require captioned material for educational or health purposes.
Whereas people with autistic syndrome might require a private space with visual overstimulation or minimum noise. Also, frequent hand-washing might not be appropriate for individuals with certain disabilities, which can lead to a lack of proper hygiene.
4. Shortage of Staff
Even before the spread of COVID-19, social workers and caretakers played a contributing role in society. However, there has been a lack of caretakers and social workers in the market. And the coronavirus pandemic has further worsened these concerns. Complications such as an increase in mental health concerns, sick leave, and staff departures have caused a shortage of social workers for people with disabilities.
Statistics – Challenges Faced By Individuals With Learning Disabilities
According to a study conducted by Professor Stuart Todd from the University of South Wales, immense challenges were faced by people with disabilities. The study found:
- Approximately half of the individuals with learning disabilities suffered from a health concern that made them or their caregivers anxious about being infected with COVID-19.
- More than 60% of the learning disabled individuals who had visited their doctors on a routine before the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in March, had seen them very often or not at all since last year.
- 80% of the individuals with learning disabilities were anxious to transmit the coronavirus germs to their loved ones.
Verdict
Despite the spread of COVID-19, it is important to know that looking after individuals with underlying disabilities is as equally important as treating any other health concerns.
Health experts fear that individuals with disabilities might face discrimination from nurses or medical staff in the upcoming years as the cases of COVID-19 increase.
However, with the implementation of vaccines in numerous parts of the world, we can see some hope for people with disabilities. Hopefully, when lockdown is fully lifted from the world, individuals with disabilities would have more convenient access to tools, software, and products they can use in their day-to-day lives.
