People with disabilities are being ignored and left behind as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, advocates say.
Disability support groups are calling on the incoming government to establish a COVID-19 recovery plan for people with special needs as the virus continues to surge in the community.
“People with an intellectual disability are at high risk from COVID-19 and many have missed out on essential support during the pandemic,” Inclusion Australia chief executive Catherine McAlpine said.
“We want all disability support providers to ensure that people with disability can access support during an emergency. People with an intellectual disability must also have equal access to health care if they get COVID-19, as well as vaccines.”
More than two years after the pandemic first hit, public health measures have been lifted without a specific plan to protect people with disabilities.
Dominic Golding, policy officer at the National Ethnic Disability Alliance, said COVID-19 had been particularly devastating for marginalised groups.
“The pandemic isn’t over for our community and we need a recovery plan to make sure people with disability are not left behind,” Mr Golding said.
“Migrant and refugee people with disability need specific information, services and support to keep our community safe from COVID-19.”
A proposed plan by disability organisations cites the need for increased physical and mental health support, continued access to remote learning and work and support for people with long COVID.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA:
NSW: 18,529 cases, 21 deaths, 1529 in hospital, 62 in ICU
VIC: 11,596 cases, 14 deaths, 492 in hospital, 29 in ICU
