Resources search

Distant yet united - An inclusive response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Bridging the Gap
2020

Expand view

Bridging the Gap keeps working both at the global and the country level to ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities in public policies to prevent and contain this pandemic. At a global level, and as part of the project's knowledge management strategy, we are monitoring and disseminating through the different communication channels of the project the main resources of interest related to COVID-19 and disability.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Cochrane resources and news

2020

Expand view

Cochrane provides high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date synthesized research evidence to inform health decisions. This page highlights content relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the various related activities that Cochrane is undertaking in response.

We will be continually adding updates and additions to this page. Sections include information and resources for:

 

  • Public, patients, and carers
  • Healthcare workers
  • Researchers
  • Policy and guideline developers
  • The Cochrane Community

Protection and COVID-19

GLOBAL PROTECTION CLUSTER
2020

Expand view

The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) and its field operations are working closely with partners and governments to ensure the inclusion of those in need of protection as a result of conflict, disasters and climate change in national and local COVID-19 preparedness, prevention and response activities. This page shares protection-related information and resources on COVID-19, including examples of operational tools produced by field clusters.

The Sphere standards and the Coronavirus response

SPHERE
2020

Expand view

Sphere reviewed emerging practices in the Coronavirus outbreak response and released a 4-page document guiding you through the relevant parts of the Sphere Handbook. The document outlines the underlying principles and the importance of community engagement, as well as a detailed review of the relevant technical guidance in the WASH and Health chapter

Disability inclusion in COVID-19 preparedness and response

CBM Australia
2020

Expand view

This guidance note provides advice for organisations planning and undertaking preparedness and response for COVID-19, to ensure that people with disabilities are considered in health services responses, health promotion messaging, communication about the outbreak and changes to services and supports.

 

COVID-19 and Persons with Disabilities

DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND
2020

Expand view

Links to various resources with additional information on disability-inclusive responses to COVID-19. Statements, disability resources and information and resources for Civil Society are provided

 

Summary report on considering disability and ageing in COVID-19 hygiene promotion programmes

WILBUR, Jane
2020

Expand view

Direct consequences and the secondary impacts of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, older adults and older adults with disabilities are outlined. General issues concerning disability, ageing and WASH access are also outlined. Specific barriers which people with disabilities, older adults and older adults with disabilities face in relation to handwashing with soap are highlighted. The World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and HelpAge International have all developed guidance on how to involve people with disabilities and older adults in COVID-19 response programs. This blog summarises these ideas and explains how they can be applied within hygiene programmes specifically. 

How can the health of people with disabilities in humanitarian camps be supported during the COVID-19 pandemic? - Evidence brief

HUNT, Xanthe
2020

Expand view

More than 10% of the world’s 35 million displaced people are people with disabilities. People with disabilities and their families are at significant risk of discrimination, stigma, violence, and marginalisation, and get little access to adequate services in humanitarian camps. Disabled people are frequently sidelined during health sector planning in humanitarian camps, and healthcare access is a particular challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic, and measures necessary for its containment, pose a particular threat and challenge in humanitarian settings. Containment measures such as mass ‘stay-at-home' orders, social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine are often unsuitable for, or difficult to implement in, camp settings. People in humanitarian camps, then, need special consideration within the COVID-19 response. However, among people in humanitarian camps, people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to being left behind or overlooked in COVID-19 planning and programming. Their double vulnerability as refugees and disabled people warrants special consideration.

 

Evidence in considered and recommendations provided.

What are the key considerations for including people with disabilities in COVID-19 hygiene promotion programmes?

WILBUR, Jane
HUNT, Xanthe
August 2019

Expand view

Question & problem

People with disabilities may be more likely to acquire COVID-19, and if infected may be more likely to experience serious symptoms, or die. Aside from those consequences of the pandemic related to morbidity and mortality, people with disabilities are often reliant on carers to aid with common daily tasks, and so social distancing measures may be unfeasible. Furthermore, safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and facilities may be inaccessible to people with disabilities, and, in many settings, efforts to deliver services in a socially-distanced world have resulted in the roll out of digital or remote healthcare approaches which are sometimes not accessible or inclusive. One of the key interventions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been international attention, and improved funding, programming and media messaging in support of WASH. People with disabilities – who are most at risk of negative consequences of COVID-19 – most need access to such interventions. Yet, WASH access is considered to be one of the biggest challenges of daily life for many people with disabilities.

Pages

E-bulletin