How to protect the disabled from COVID-19 part two

Image from hrw.org

How to protect the disabled from COVID-19 part two

The U.K. government are failing the disabled!

Yes, that appears to be the case unfortunately, but this not is being highlighted by the main stream media. Instead we are being bludgeoned with stories about high profile officials breaking lock down rules. The latest installment in this series of stories being about the widely hated (at least by leftwing Guardian reading Brexit remain voters), Machiavellian, scruffy, so called “DeFacto Prime Minister” and downing street adviser Dominic Cummings. As funny as that is it to watch a middle-aged man behave like a spoiled and rebellious teenager on TV news that’s not what we’re here to write about for you today.

As promised in part one ,this is part two of our protecting the disabled from COVID-19 report where are going to focusing on what governments should be doing to safeguard the less during this unprecedented period on modern history. We will also highlight to what extent the UK government have taken action on these issues. This time we’re going to skip the lengthy pre-amble and dive straight in for you.

So, what should Governments be doing then?

We’ve summarised the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) COVID-19 guidelines on government action for you below.

• Government health information on COVID-19 should be accessible to the less-abled especially the blind and those with learning disabilities. For example, the use of captions, sign language for announcements across all channels and materials including social media.
• All written material must include large font size, be converted to brail, with all imagery that does not exclude the disabled in anyway.
• Collaboration with disability supporting organisations to distribute government health information to the less abled.
• Financial assistance for loved ones and care givers in circumstances where time of work is required to care for families, where they are self-employed or casually employed, in cases where self-quarantine is needed and when reporting for work could increase the chances of infection from the virus. As well as for technology needed to allow working from home with the relevant working being authorised to allow this
• A wider “bail out” or relief package for specifically for the disabled to including grants, tax subsidies, discounts on common goods, and freeze a or allowable delay on payment of general expenses.
• Educational institutions should ensure the disabled students can continue to learn from home and for extended sessions if required.
• Finally, the establishment of specialised government hotlines to assist the disabled in all required communication formats.

So now you know how the Governments could take action to protect the less abled according to the W.H.O., but is that all there is to the story? Not at all as far we’re concerned. What has the government actually done you might be thinking? Or more to the point what have they failed to do? Let’s take a closer look.

In March 2020 the Chief Executive of disabilityrightsuk.org wrote to UK Government health Ministers with concerns about the lack of government action on the protection of the disabled, elderly and the those with long term illnesses from COVID-19. This was in reaction to the UK government advice issued on the 13th February. The concerns included lack of advice adequate on the protection of care homes which have many disabled residents as well their staff. As well as other recommendations on financial assistance, self-isolation and training for care home staff. Many of these recommendations echo the guidance issued by the WHO in March.

The question is what has happened to the disabled since March when the national lockdown order was announced? Sadly, according to carehome.co.uk COVID-19 tests have been denied to those with learning disabilities resident in care homes even their there has been a 175% increase in their deaths! This a shocking betrayal by the UK government to some of the most vulnerable despite their promises of 100 000 tests per day across the country.

The UK government has since announced a £600 financial support package for care homes along with a wider £3.2 billion package for local authorities to support critical services like care homes. As well as it’s guidelines on protecting the disabled. While these financial measures are welcome news, they have come too little too for those with disabilities who have already died. The truth is we only know to truth of whether the government protected the disabled sufficiently during this crisis when dust settles and public inquires have been concluded. Honestly it could take years given the length of time previous public inquires have taken, including the Iraq War and even the more recent Grenfell Tower Inquiry. When the political “post-mortem”is fully underway heads will maybe even the Prime Minister himself. The British Conservative party are known to be the most politically ruthless and may well scapegoat Johnson to save themselves before the next election.

We will keep you updated on this, warts and all because the disabled need as many voices as possible to make sure they protected.

Our team is developing the “The Urgos Kettle” an energy efficient kettle with disabled at the heart of it’s design. We have launched a crowdfunding campaign to develop our first working prototype. To become a backer visit our GoFundme page for more details.