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How Covid-19 has marginalised people with disabilities more than ever

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Arman Ali
Arman AliMay 11, 2020 | 20:10

How Covid-19 has marginalised people with disabilities more than ever

It is tragic that people with disabilities have to struggle for their dignity and basic survival during the lockdown in a country that has one of the strongest legislations for them.

Covid-19 has hit persons with disabilities — almost 10 per cent of the Indian population — the hardest, as the country navigates this unprecedented and unforeseen pandemic. Categorised by the government under the important section of ‘vulnerable groups’ along with the elderly, children and SC/ST, people with disabilities cut across all other categories. It is tragic then that they have to struggle for their basic survival during the lockdown. Access to food, ration, medicines, healthcare and caregivers has been cut off. And this has compounded isolation, mental health issues and vulnerabilities — emotional, financial and physical.

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Perhaps our dejection is exacerbated by the sense of disappointment we feel, given that India passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill in 2016. The Act is venerated across the world as one of the strongest legislations globally. 

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During the lockdown, people with disabilities find it difficult to even get access to food and ration. (Photo: Reuters)

In addition to the Act, the Guidelines on ‘Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction’ issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in October 2018, and the Guidelines for Safety and Protection of Persons with Disabilities during Covid-19 released by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are comprehensive by themselves.

However, to my dismay, disabled people are completely neglected due to inadequate implementation. A few sore examples to validate my point:

Government setting a poor example

The core principle of any Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) program, is emergency assistance first for the most vulnerable persons. Does it require rocket science to understand this? Non-adherence to DRR guidelines begins with the government itself. All orders and communication released are in inaccessible formats, including the newly-launched Aarogya Setu app. There is no awareness amongst people with disabilities (and also the communities, in general) on who they can reach out to for their basic needs in these times of crisis.

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With the government hanging us out to dry, various NGOs / individuals have started their own helplines to address the needs of disabled people in their areas. Further, the problems are manifold:

1. Livelihood

Educated persons with disabilities have always asked for reasonable accommodation, and have long fought for the option to work, learn, and do business ‘from home’. Suddenly, post-Covid-19, the acceptance of ‘work from home’ has been quick and global. It is hard to not wonder how quickly and enthusiastically this has been accepted, when for many years, disabled people have lost major opportunities to this. Was it just reluctance? Doesn't that hurt?

The problem continues with the unorganised sector, where the ‘work from home’ option is not available and people have lost their jobs. Further, with the economy impacted adversely, thousands of people with disabilities, who are largely working as contractual employees, have been handed pink slips. Across the country, blind daily-wage workers are unable even to purchase ration as they have run out of money.

The government must announce an adequate and comprehensive economic rehabilitation package. Offering employment to disabled people should be a priority when we plan for economic recovery. Instances of violence have increased universally, and this applies to people with disabilities as well. Access to social protection has to be made easier and simpler, and pensions must be made uniform.

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2. Access to healthcare and support needs

Medicines and medical supplies, access to treatment and prioritisation for people with benchmark disabilities and high support needs, accessible hospitals and diagnostic facilities, trained and sensitised doctors and paramedical staff, and access to insurance would be the key areas to address here. Many persons with disabilities need a caregiver.

On March 27, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) had issued guidelines to the states for the safety of people with disabilities in light of the pandemic. The guidelines stated that caregivers should be provided passes in a simplified manner on a priority basis. It also mentioned that people with disabilities should be given access to essential food, water and medicine. But disabled people have no access to any of these. For example, many people with thalassemia are facing difficulty in blood transfusion as a limited supply of donors’ blood is available in the hospitals. Many private hospitals have ceased to deliver services. For persons who do not have private transportation, arranging transportation for basic health services is a major task. 

3. Provision of food

It is commonly known that in the situations of lockdown, flood, conflict, etc., people with disabilities are the first to be impacted. Coupled with a lack of accessible transport, they find it difficult to access food, ration, pension, etc. The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) helpline received numerous comments from people with disabilities, pertaining to lack of food. For instance, in Maharashtra, though the Social Welfare Ministry announced that ration for persons with disabilities will be delivered at home, it has not been pursued with the urgency it warrants. It becomes difficult for persons with disabilities, who have mobility issues and high support needs, to step out for buying essentials. 

A mindset change

The Covid-19 pandemic made it critically clear that we have to build a solution to adequately meet the needs of people with disabilities with a long-term view.

Innovative solutions can be co-created with the disability sector. For example, the fact that people with disability were asking for video-conferencing platforms for medical needs, or access to courts, are instances of reasonable accommodation. These would help with online education, working remotely, working from home and flexible hours, etc. And, all of these accommodations are now being embraced by the entire world.

Covid-19 has brought threats but also opportunities in its wake. It is now up to us to convert the threat into an opportunity and to drive home the need for inclusion of people across all aspects of policymaking on issues related to disasters. Covid-19 has mandated the urgent need for accessibility, in terms of both — capacity and nationwide organisation.

Last updated: May 11, 2020 | 20:10
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