Disabled people must be part of the Covid-19 inquiry
In 2021, before the public inquiry into how the UK handled the pandemic, we called for disabled people and their families to be at the heart of the inquiry.
From difficulties accessing food to reduced care, the pandemic has exposed a lot of existing inequalities and new issues for disabled people.
Did you know that 6 out of 10people who have died from Covid-19 are disabled?
Over 40,000 of you signed our petition calling for change – thank you!
“When the pandemic hit last year, the day centre closed, and we were left to take on all of Azhar’s care needs without any support. We were worried about who would fill the caring void if we caught Covid-19.”
Saeed, parent of Azhar
What’s happened so far?
We’ve been working in coalition with other leading disability charities to make sure disabled people’s experiences are heard in the ongoing public inquiry into Covid-19.
Last year we responded to the consultation on the draft Terms of Reference for the inquiry, that set out the areas that will be investigated. Following this, we were pleased to see the Chair of the inquiry committing to prioritising equalities issues and impact of mental health in the investigation.
Thank you to everyone who took part and gave your views. You’ve helped to make sure disabled peoples experiences are heard.
What we asked for
A key section of the inquiry investigating the impact of Covid-19 on disabled people with them being invited to contribute evidence.
A panel leading the inquiry that is representative of disabled people.
The inquiry to be run in an accessible way so that disabled people can participate and engage with it.
6 out of 10 people who have died from Covid-19 are disabled. This pandemic has worsened existing inequalities disabled people face and exposed new issues.
From a reduction in care and support to difficulties accessing medical essentials and food.
Next year there will be a public inquiry into the UK’s handling of Covid-19.
We’re calling for disabled people to be at the heart of it.
A pink heart appears in the middle of the screen. In the heart, it reads 6 out of 10.
[6 out of 10 people who have died from Covid-19 are disabled.]
The heart breaks in two and reveals a cut-out image of a man in a hospital bed wearing an air ventilator.
A wall appears covered in hearts. It’s the National Covid Memorial Wall. A woman appears in the middle of the screen as pink hearts appear around her and break in half.
Using brush strokes and block colours, the wall disappears and the woman in the centre of the screen transforms into a woman alone staring out of a window.
[This pandemic has worsened existing inequalities disabled people face…]
A hand appears. It is then revealed to belong to a man who is alone. His hand is pressing against a window.
[… and exposed new issues.]
A hospital bed appears on screen, then the words “Do not resuscitate” appear on screen.
[From a reduction in care and support to difficulties accessing medical essentials and food.]
A series of images featuring disabled people and a care worker appear on screen. One by one, the images split in half, leaving each person by themselves.
[Next year there will be a public inquiry into the UK’s handling of Covid-19.]
An illustration of Boris Johnson appears on screen. In the background we see an illustration of Westminster. Microphones appear from the bottom of the screen.
We then see illustrations of people campaigning and protesting with signs appearing on screen.
[We’re calling for disabled people to be at the heart of it.]
The image of people protesting turns into a petition. A purple hand lowers the petition to the centre of the screen.
[Learn more and add your name to our petition. sense.org.uk/CovidInquiry
We see an orange and purple brushstroke move to the centre of the screen. They join and create the Sense logo. The word Sense appears below the logo.
[The voices of disabled people must be heard.]
The video ends.
Find out more about how the pandemic has impacted disabled people
Steven works on our campaigns and influences government so they better represent disabled people with complex needs. He shares why the latest Sense campaign is so important to him.
Nicola lives in West Yorkshire and is a full-time carer for her 20-year-old daughter, Rebecca who is deaf and has autism. She explains the impact that lockdown had on her and Rebecca.
