The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is calling on all Australian governments to ensure that responses to COVID-19 include dedicated strategies and take all necessary measures to protect and support people with disability.
The Royal Commission issued a Statement of Concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with disability.
Emergency planning and responses of Australian governments should include a specific strategy to provide appropriate guidance, support and funding to meet the particular needs and requirements of people with disability.
The Royal Commission has heard directly from people with disability who are, like many in the broader community, very anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also heard that this anxiety is exacerbated by the feeling that they are being left behind or ignored in government and community responses.
People with disability, particularly First Nations people with disability, may be disproportionately affected by the pandemic due to increased risk of infection, higher number of co‑morbidities and because of underlying health conditions such as chronic diseases and respiratory illnesses.
The Commission has asked to hear from people who wish to provide information to the Royal Commission about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, including information with respect to the government and community response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The Royal Commission has heard from members of the community that people with disability: continue to face barriers in accessing health care, including prevention, screening and treatment for COVID-19; are unable to access regular and vital medications and therapeutic services due to low supplies and restrictions in access; may not have access to mental health services at a time when the need for accessible and responsive mental health is heightened; are unable to easily access essential health supplies to keep themselves safe, such as personal protective equipment, hand sanitiser and sterilising equipment; or are worried that discrimination or unconscious bias could impact their access to critical and lifesaving health care during this crisis.
The Royal Commission calls on the government to take all reasonable steps to ensure access to and the provision of appropriate health care to all persons with disability.
They said they were also concerned about the wellbeing of people with disability living in closed residential facilities, such as group homes, prisons and mental health facilities. They also stated that they understood that measures to ‘lockdown’ facilities and/or restrict visiting are to reduce the risk of infection.
However such measures may have the unintended consequence of reduced formal oversight mechanisms (such as Community Visitor Schemes) and informal oversight provided by family, friends, supporters and advocates.
With the decrease of oversight comes an increase in the risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. They encouraged governments to implement all necessary measures to protect and support people with disability in residential settings during the pandemic.
The Commission also acknowledged the efforts made by all levels of government in Australia on new measures to ensure essential support is in place for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants and workers through the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, these measures are specific to the NDIS and NDIS participants. Many people with disability do not use NDIS supports and will also need access to COVID-19 information and support outside the NDIS, said the Commission.
Australian governments should seek input from people with disability, leading disability experts and advocates in developing their dedicated strategy, and in particular, in its COVID-19 Coordination Commission initiative, said the Commission.
It is within the terms of reference of the Royal Commission to investigate the extent to which people with disability have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation as a consequence of any lack of coordinated action to address their particular needs in this time of crisis.
The Commission has asked to hear from people who wish to provide information to the Royal Commission about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, including information with respect to the government and community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People with Disability is calling on Australian govts to ensure that responses to #COVID19 include strategies & take necessary measures to protect people with #disability. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/xZ9Wbaj5mt
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) March 27, 2020
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
