and why is the newly launched United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy so vital and timely?

Even in times of stability, without the Covid-19 pandemic and the fear of economic instability or even worse recession, persons with disabilities, especially in developing countries, are less likely to access education and employment.

Many people with disabilities still face stigma, discrimination, and ignorance, as well as a lack of social support for those who care for them.

All these factors put people with disabilities at a higher risk and the pandemic not only intensified these inequalities but produced new threats.

According to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the world’s one billion people with disabilities are among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of fatalities.

This is due to the COVID-19-related deaths in care homes where mainly elderly people with disabilities were affected by the deadly pandemic with more than 46% of people over age 60 having a disability.

It’s important to note here that persons with disabilities are not solely at risk because they are more physically vulnerable, but also because some governments and authorities have failed to address their specific needs; people with disabilities may face difficulties in accessing government information because of how it’s provided and/or are faced with lockdown measures without inaccessible information.

A recent study by the children & young people with disabilities Australia showed that:

• More than 80% of respondents said they lacked information about coronavirus and how it is related to children with disability.

• More than 60% of respondents were unable to buy essential supplies such as special dietary products and almost 20% said they were unable to buy essential medication. This was among others because families with for example autistic children didn’t meet criteria for special shopping times.

• 50% of survey respondents reported a decline in mental health, either for themselves or for the child or young person with disability.

Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting people with disabilities in the work force; those who faced employment exclusion before the pandemic are now not only more likely to lose their work but also likely to face greater difficulties in finding a new role.

Aiming to address some or ideally all of these challenges, the UN launched the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy and urges governments to place people with disabilities at the centre of COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, and to consult and engage with them.

Through the Strategy, and in combination with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aiming to create more inclusive and accessible societies, the UN system will make disability inclusion across all of its work, with the aim of achieving transformative and lasting change worldwide.

There are many lessons the world can learn from this pandemic!

To learn more about the newly launched United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy read our UCC blog on “Why the newly launched United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy is more important than ever!”

UCC is actively looking into ways at providing greater support for people with disabilities, especially during those challenging times. In line with this, should you be or know of any mid career professionals, students and/or Alumni who require additional level of support for their careers we would be greatly interested to talk with you to explore options on what we can do. Please get in touch with one of our professional UN insiders.

Our UCC expert UN insider advice is available to everybody.