New guidance issued by the Government on ‘phase two’ of the Coronavirus crisis explicitly fails to mention disabled people and their needs despite the recognition of some groups of disabled people falling under the ‘clinically vulnerable’ or ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ headings the Government uses to assess risk and provide support.
Disability Rights UK Head of Policy Fazilet Hadi said:
“The focus of government plans should have been keeping those at risk safe. Old and young people in residential settings, adults and children with disabilities and or serious health conditions, people who need additional support for daily living, and people who can’t maintain physical distance, are all left without clarity or confidence about our safety and our future.
“Those who are shielding due to medical conditions can’t safely return to work or school. Many disabled people have no option but to use crowded public transport. Some of us can’t exercise without human support. We are left with the feeling that the government plan isn’t about us.
“This plan comes less than two weeks after over 100 MPs and peers wrote to the government asking that government plans address the needs of disabled people.”
Read the guidance here:
And read more on the MP and Peer letter here: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/coronavirus-mps-and-peers-ask-pm-for-a-disability-inclusive-response-to-pandemic/