Organisations representing hundreds of thousands of people with disability across Australia are calling on political parties to commit to establishing a COVID Recovery Plan for people with disability.
The groups want the incoming Australian Government to urgently implement a plan to address the fact that people with disability are being left in lockdown – while the COVID-19 virus is left to surge in the community.
People with disability have experienced fear, illness, isolation, neglect, and death over the two years, with our needs often forgotten during COVID-19.
COVID-19 isn’t over, and for many people with disability, the current lifting of public health measures without a plan to protect them, is causing significant distress.
People with disability need significant support to stay safe with so much COVID-19 in the community.
COVID-19 has had a greater impact on our community than others, and most particularly on First People with disability, migrants and refugees with disability, and people with disability in congregate settings.
COVID-19 has worsened many of the inequalities our community faces but has also shown that more accessible services are possible.
Two years after the pandemic began, now is the time to support people with disability, our families and caregivers, and organisations, as we rebuild our lives and look to the future.
There are also people developing post-viral disability, known as long COVID-19, who need support.
We are calling for the development of, and investment in, a COVID-19 Recovery Plan for people with disability that:
- addresses the harm caused to our community,
- puts in place a blueprint for the future, and
- addresses the needs of people with long COVID-19.
Elements of the COVID-19 Recovery Plan include:
- Increased health services to address harm caused, both physical and mental.
- Commitment to accessible and available information from the Federal Government.
- Extend the Disability Royal Commission (including funding for support services and systemic advocacy), because of COVID-19 impact, and accept recommendations made,
- Ensure remote school and work can continue for those who need it
- Adequately fund individual disability advocacy services to do outreach and provide COVID-19 vaccination information and support to the most marginalised people with disability in the community
This document is endorsed by the eight national disability peak organisations.
- Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
- Children and Young People with Disability Australia
- First Peoples Disability Network Australia
- Inclusion Australia
- Disability Advocacy Network Australia
- National Ethnic Disability Alliance
- People with Disability Australia
- Women with Disabilities Australia
Find more information, including quotes and the full National Disability Peaks Election Platforms on the Inclusion Australia website: ‘Left in lockdown’- People with disability call for a COVID Recovery Plan – Inclusion Australia