COVID-19 and people with disabilities: Assessing the impact of the crisis and informing disability inclusive next steps

Editorial information: Publications Office of the European Union.

The report presents the disability inclusivity policies and practices, including accessibility, in Cyprus, during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the desk study findings, there are no particular plans for disability inclusivity, other than some attempts for the provision of accessible information for situations of disaster and crisis. In relation to future recovery planning, the government announced its intention to extend and diversify disability-related benefits as part of its 2021-23 budgetary planning. 

There are no statistical data or other official data on mortality among people with disabilities. Such data are collected, but not in a coherent manner, and therefore they have not been processed or published yet. the key concerns about a disproportionately negative impact of the COVID-19 crisis on people with disabilities include: (a) Lack of continuous and updated accessible information. Though some efforts have been made, accessible forms of information are not widely available or easy to locate; (b) Impact on the education of children with disabilities. Distance education measures did not take into consideration accessibility and inclusive education requirements. Planning in education was continuously changing, causing confusion and frustration to students and families, and relevant rhetoric and discourse, as well as practices were criticised as segregating and discriminatory; (c) Lack of psychological and other care and support to persons with disabilities in care homes and supported living residences. 

The report also identifies several good practices, including exemptions for persons with disabilities to go out, ability to visit people in care homes, financial support for carers, accessible information, and active involvement of DPOs and the Ombudsman. 

Finally, the report includes three main recommendations and opportunities for using recovery planning: (a) Include disability representatives in the decision-making bodies and committees for emergency response measures; (b)The State’s intention to extend and diversify disability-related benefits as part of its 2021-23 is an opportunity to empower access to technology, telehealth and remote services for persons with disabilities; and (c) include disability and inclusive education specific planning and activities in the digital education policy currently under development by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.

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