Runt of the Litter: Disability in the Age of Pandemic (original) (raw)
Related papers
Introduction to the Special Issue: Disability and Covid-19
Disability Studies Quarterly, 2021
We write this introduction very aware of our pandemic pasts, our present moments, and our imagined futures, how relative and fluid these temporalities are, and how they are experienced in crip time (Barnartt 2010; Kafer 2013; Samuels 2017). In the time of Covid-19 so much changes so quickly, yet also, in lockdown-life, it feels as if nothing has changed in well over a year. One might submit an abstract to discuss something Covid-19-related in the winter and by the spring the context and hence the discussion has changed completely, due to national elections, or vaccine developments and dissemination processes, even as we track changes in our daily lives by how long our hair and beards are growing. Experiences of previous pandemics serve as a guide when we consider that what we mean by "long haul" Covid-19 has already shifted from meaning symptoms that persist for weeks to months beyond the time of expected recovery. To consider this in a historical context, Post-Polio Syndrome – the long-term physical consequences of surviving polio — were not institutionally identified or systematically studied until over three decades after the polio vaccine was available (Post-Polio Health International2021). This is partially because, for many people, that's how long it took for the physical consequences to manifest. Just as the polio epidemic created new disability experiences and was a catalyst for disability activism and policy transformation, currently activists and researchers are discussing intersections of long-haul Covid-19 with related post-viral fatigue or connective tissue conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). We can only imagine where this might lead in the future – and what research directions or policy transformations might result.
LIVING IN THE MARGINS: DISABILITY AND THE PANDEMIC
Habitus Journal of Sociology, 2022
Persons with disabilities often live in the margins, being excluded by the system as well by the impairments they experience. A pandemic such as COVID-19, further pushes them into invisibility, unless active attempts are made to consider them as entitled to the same care as others. This paper explores the manner in which pandemic pushes people with disabilities further into the margins, thus experiencing exclusion. The changes that the pandemic has brought in comes with a price that all people have to pay, However the social and economic costs that people with disabilities experience are uniquely different. The article focuses on economic and social marginalisation that ensues the pandemic and the state response and the struggles that PWD had to experience. Further this is compounded by social exclusion and 'othering' that not only complicates their life, but also worsens stigmatising practices. The paper discusses the interplay of the macro context, the market and life within the home that has altered during the pandemic.
Making pandemic response disability inclusive: Challenges and opportunities for organizations
Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 2021
The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused approximately 15 million diagnosed cases and over 600,000 reported deaths worldwide as of July 22, 2020. Although the spread of the virus appears to have been contained in a few countries, in most countries there continues to be an upward trajectory in the rate of infection. Under the circumstances, it appears that the pandemic may last for several more months (if not years), with its effects extending over a much longer period. Rudolph et al. (2021) provided an excellent overview of areas that the field of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology needs to focus on to deal with workplace repercussions associated with the pandemic. However, a major omission in their article was the influence that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the work and lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs). The purpose of this paper is to explore these effects and the role that I-O psychology could play in enhancing the quality of life of PWDs in the workplace during this period of crisis. Special needs of PWDs Rudolph et al. (2021) do recognize that the degree of disruption from the pandemic is not the same for all groups. However, they restrict their analysis to only certain occupational groups, such as comparing healthcare workers with people working from home, and seemed to have overlooked disability even though they discuss the aging population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2016), one in four adults has a disability. In other words, disability should be considered an important demographic variable, similar to gender, age, and race/ethnicity when planning for an appropriate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has serious implications for the life of PWDs. Innumerable PWDs around the world have been earning their livelihood and living independently. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has created enormous hurdles in this process, sometimes even leading to tragic deaths. Qi and Hu (2020) report a case of how a 16-year-old teenager with cerebral palsy died in China because his relatives could not reach him following strict lockdown orders in their city. Although disability may not be inherently linked to increased risk of COVID-19 infection, PWDs often have underlying health problems and live under special circumstances that increase their risk of infection. Just like people in old age, PWDs often present multiple and chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and chronic lung diseases, which increase the risks associated with the pandemic. Critically, many PWDs need to take regular medications for their survival, which haven't been easily available to them after the
COVID 19 policies and restrictions and their effects on people with disabilities
conference paper, 2021
This paper is based on personal experiences from the COVID period as a disabled person, combined with published research on the effects of lockdowns on society and economy. It is acknowledged that the biopolitics of the management of COVID-!9 has had wide ranging effects on people’s everyday lives. Here I will discuss some implications for the vulnerable group of disabled persons, in relation to the four main tenets of the measures regime, as well as the effects of the media representations of the virus. Social distancing: People with disabilities are prevented from participating in social life. They are a marginalized group, affected both by their health condition and by societal attitudes to disability. This exclusion and isolation have been intensified by social distancing. Stay-at-home campaigns: This group is oftentimes forced to stay at home, either because of inaccessible spaces, or by negative societal attitudes. The “stay-at-home” campaign exacerbated this by forcing disabled persons to stay at home, and by reducing contacts with relatives, friends or work colleagues. Lockdowns and curfews: Events and support groups for disabled people were cancelled. Accessible places for socialization and exercise were closed. Late-night curfews meant that disabled people were left alone at night. Persons in need of health care were frequently deprived of consistent contact. Mask-wearing: Face masks are very uncomfortable devices for anybody, but for people with disabilities a restriction on their breathing creates additional difficulties. A face mask restricts vision and makes walking with crutches or driving a mobility scooter almost impossible. Media representations: Fear is a disabling emotion for all people, affects mental functioning, and prevents logical thinking. Especially for people with pre-existing problems, fear of infection and of further deterioration can be debilitating. Media news focused on deaths, intubations, infection, thus promoting anxiety and fear. I argue that the biopolitics of the pause of social interactions and fear-mongering has had an overtly negative effect on people with disabilities, with no discernible benefits for their health. However, these are of course only preliminary observations. More rigorous research is needed to assess the overall effects on this group of people of these measures and restrictions.
including a course on Disability and Justice. In addition, she co-coordinates the Disability Studies minor, and serves as a Faculty Associate with the Center for Faculty Innovation. Her professional interests include disability studies, pop culture, storytelling, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Long covid and disability: a brave new world
BMJ
One billion people worldwide live with a disability, 1 but they are often overlooked in discussions of pandemic preparedness and response. 2 3 People with physical and cognitive disabilities-including those with "invisible" disabilities that are not obvious from the outside-were at disproportionate risk of harm from covid-19 because of their pre-existing medical conditions or their social circumstances. 4-6 People in the UK people whose disabilities affected their day-today function were up to three times more likely to have died from covid-19. 7 They also experienced disproportionate loss of access to medical services, education, employment, and care. 8
Disability and COVID-19: ensuring no one is left behind
Archives of Public Health
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda calls for targeted attention to the needs and rights of the most vulnerable populations to ensure a life of dignity and human security for all. In this paper, we argue that persons with disabilities are in a disproportionately vulnerable situation in public health emergencies. By using the example of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), we explain why that is and call for the systematic consideration of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities during the response to the outbreak and during the recovery phase. Otherwise, equity will continue to be merely an aspiration during this COVID-19 emergency - as it will in future health emergencies.
Reimagining the future of disability post the COVID-19 crisis
Reimagining the future of disability post the COVID-19 crisis, 2020
COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for people with disabilities across Australia, with spikes in anxiety, depression, neglect, domestic violence and even death. The majority of disability service providers have stripped community-based supports to "essential services", with practically no alternatives offered for community participation, recreation, social or emotional support. People who have had choice and control over their lives have now had their liberties trampled on, with little attention paid to their social and emotional wellbeing. This paper utilises the social model of disability to explore the various responses to COVID-19 restrictions by disability service providers & workers in South Australia. One of the objectives of this paper is also to briefly present the historical context of disability care in South Australia with a view to link to the current COVID-19 conditions. Using an interpretivist view, this paper reflects on the situations where workers have found creative and innovative ways to bridge the gap in face to face service provision and the COVID-19 restrictions. This paper will also discuss situations where people were involuntarily left at home alone to manage without their usual wellbeing supports. This paper's findings will have some direct and profound implications on service delivery options for people living in rural and remote areas of Australia who may have little or no access to quality disability services. An additional element in this paper is to reflect on qualitative data drawn from informal interviews with service providers, workers and people with disabilities, and those reflections are further supplemented by electronic, print and social media; providing a narrative of South Australian's living with disabilities during COVID-19.