Due to high levels of discrimination; inequality; barriers accessing education, employment and healthcare; vulnerable livelihoods; and inadequate social protection schemes, people with disabilities may be highly vulnerable to shocks and crises. This discriminatory context is exacerbated during disasters – which expose existing inequalities.
People with disabilities may also have a health condition that makes them more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 and developing more severe cases. Many of the preventative measures required to keep the virus at bay are also inaccessible, and social distancing and self-isolation can disrupt essential daily care, assistance and rehabilitation services. The impact of COVID-19 is being further exacerbated by inaccessible health facilities and public health messages, and there are alarming number of cases of discrimination against people with disabilities during the pandemic.
This document provides practical guidance for development partners to develop disability-inclusive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic during the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the immediate- and long-term response to the pandemic, it is vital that all development partners take steps to strengthen health systems that are disability-inclusive.
Publication date: May 2020
We're attending the conference in Miami on 6-14 March to share our expertise, engage with the education community and explore how we can transform inclusive education.
Collaborating with organisations of people with disabilities (OPDs) on our inclusive education projects has earned the Sightsavers-led Inclusive Futures consortium a Zero Project Award in 2024.
The updated plan reaffirms Sightsavers' commitment to enhancing inclusive data and collaboration in the international development sector.