COVID-19 has exposed inequalities in countries across the world, deepening the existing discrimination and marginalisation experienced by persons with disabilities.
The pandemic constitutes a serious challenge in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
With the development and rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine gaining momentum – and particularly with limited initial vaccine supplies – it is vital that persons with disabilities are not left behind.
In a statement released by International Disability Alliance (IDA) and International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), the group called on UN agencies and national governments to ensure that persons with disabilities are recognised as a priority group and that vaccination plans are inclusive, equitable and accessible.
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Explaining in details, the group said: in prioritization, “Global and national vaccination plans must prioritize reaching persons with disabilities, particularly persons with intellectual disabilities and high support needs, persons living in congregate settings, older persons and persons with health conditions that put them most at risk.”
In accessibility and active involvement, they stated: “Health information campaigns and vaccination delivery sites must be inclusive and accessible to all persons with disabilities. Organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) must be actively involved in the development of COVID-19-related planning and
policymaking, and vaccinations must only happen with free and informed
consent.”
In Inclusive data collection and dissemination, they added: Data collected on vaccination programmes must be disaggregated by age, sex and disability and shared in accessible formats.