- People with disabilities may face challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic including physical vulnerability to the virus, social isolation and accessing basics of daily life.
- The Ministry of Health has developed an ethical framework to ensure all people are treated fairly.
- COVID-19 resources available to people with disabilities include HealthLink BC and Community Living BC.
People with disabilities and their families must always be treated ethically, fairly, and respectfully. This is a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. People with disabilities will not be discriminated against in the provision of medical care and decisions about medical care will be made according to the COVID-19 ethical framework.
People with disabilities and their families, may face unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic including:
- Physical vulnerability to the virus if they are older and/or if they have serious underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease and/or compromised immune systems.
- They may experience slightly higher risk of virus spread if they require close contact with others as a result of personal care needs (i.e. help with activities of daily living), and/or if they live in shared settings like a group home.
- They may experience greater challenges as a result of public health measures such as physical distancing. This can create greater social isolation and interruption of important support networks.
- They may experience more challenges in accessing basics of daily life, as the community at large adapts to public health measures (for example, buses using rear door boarding).
- Family members may experience increased caregiving demands if staff shortages or temporary care is not available.
- Family members may experience fear of how their loved one will be cared for if they themselves become ill with COVID-19 and are no longer able to provide care.
- Family members and people with disabilities may experience fear in regards to how visitor restrictions may delay the family from providing critical communication support and/or supported decision making for critical healthcare decisions.
- Self-advocates and family members may be fearful that people with disabilities will be discriminated against if health care resources are limited.
- People with disabilities may face communication barriers. People who are hard of hearing have issues with face masks as they can’t read lips or see facial expressions. People who are deaf and use sign language need access to interpreters. People who can’t speak may require email, text or supported communication options.
The Ministry of Health has developed an
ethical framework to ensure all people are treated fairly. The
framework was developed to guide difficult decision making in the face of potentially limited health resources during the pandemic.
- A collaborative, evidence-informed, all of government- approach has been taken up across multiple ministries and sectors.
- The Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and Community Living BC have been in daily communication since the onset of the pandemic.
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HealthLink BC is available any time of the day or night, and there are registered nurses and call takers available to answer questions related to COVID-19. Translation services are available in over 130 languages, including services for the deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired.
- To access their Video Relay Services visit the
VRS website
- To access 8-1-1 through a Teletypewriter service dial 7-1-1
- The important voices of self-advocates and family members are heard and raised to inform the provincial COVID-19 responses.
- Community Living BC (CLBC) has created webpages with important information, resources and updates related to COVID-19:
