Disabled people who are unable to wear face coverings due to their impairments, are continuing to encounter hostility from some retail and transport staff and members of the general public.
Whilst the exemptions are clearly set out in regulations, there has been a failure by government to communicate strongly enough that some disabled people are not required to wear face coverings.
MP Bambos Charalambous, with the support of Disability Rights UK and other disability organisations, has written to government ministers alongside his constituent Georgina Fallows, who cannot wear a mask, asking for a public awareness campaign to be instigated.
The letter reads:
Re: Public Awareness Campaign For Face Covering Exemptions
We are writing collectively to ask the Government to launch a public awareness campaign on the issue of face covering exemptions. In this time of Covid-19 and the need for nationwide protective measures, we are grateful for the Government’s acknowledgment that the wearing of face coverings, for some, present an insurmountable challenge and for the formulation of a list of exemptions in recognition of that fact.
Notwithstanding the above, we are concerned that there remains a fundamental lack of public awareness surrounding the exemptions to the extent it renders them, in a practical sense, ineffectual. Whilst the Government guidance itself is clear and meets the varied needs of persons exempt, we do believe there is a lack of communication from the Government both to the general public and in wider settings where face coverings are now mandatory. As the requirement for face coverings has increased, so too has the importance of a good level of public understanding of the exemptions and the reasons someone may qualify.
Data collected by Disability Rights UK shows that there is real fear amongst the disabled community in terms of how they navigate their lives against the mandatory wearing of face coverings. There are reports of individuals feeling like ‘prisoners’, of being refused entry to shops and being afraid of accessing public transport. Some said they now face ‘bullying’ and had experienced violent verbal abuse for the absence of a face covering. Of the 348 responses, 60% feared being the victim of a hate crime if seen not wearing a face covering in public. Further examples were echoed by members across both sides of the House during a recent Westminster Hall debate on Disability Inclusive Covid-19 response.
As individual stakeholders we have voiced the need for greater awareness, compassion and understanding in relation to the inability of some individuals to wear face coverings. Despite our best efforts, we accept this is not enough and we ask the Government to work together with us to help educate the public on the existing exemptions. Our agreed approach is to develop a sensitive and impactful public awareness campaign and in so doing promote a recognised badge/identifier to signify the wearer as exempt.
We are all agreed that a badge/identifier is no substitute for greater public understanding and that it is the public awareness campaign that should be the primary focus of our collective efforts. It is important to recognise that not every person exempt from wearing a face covering will feel comfortable to openly display a badge/identifier marking them as exempt, and that participation will need to be voluntary. It is also equally important to acknowledge that many persons who identify as disabled will be able to wear a face covering and should do so in line with Government advice.
We would want to ensure that any public awareness campaign highlighted first and foremost the numerous reasons why someone may be exempt whilst making it clear that a badge/identifier may not always be worn and that the lack thereof does not mean that an individual has no good reason for the absence of a face covering. We do believe however that the raising of awareness both through a national Government-led campaign and through the routine sight of a promoted badge/identifier will encourage the general public to link it to a ‘hidden’ condition and will lessen the likelihood of challenge in any event, including in circumstances where a badge/identifier is not made obvious.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme is one existing initiative (although it is important to note that others exist) which has proved popular with many people with hidden disabilities and who feel able to wear a visual aid. Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme already has in circulation a Face Covering Exemption Card which can be presented on request or attached via lanyard. It is available for purchase from their website and is already recognised and distributed nationwide by Network Rail, retailers such as M&S, Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tesco, Morrisons, banks (including HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group), cinemas and other attractions such as sports venues, as well as hospitals and many insurance companies. Many of these organisations, as partnering and/or supporting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme provide lanyards to their customers free of charge to indicate that they have a hidden disability and may require support, help or a little more time.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme has conducted its own survey for the utilisation of the Face Covering Exemption Card amongst its service users. Of the 1,632 people surveyed, 68% were unable to wear a face covering. Of that number, 51% had been challenged for not wearing a face covering, but 79% said that presenting/wearing the Face Covering Exemption Card either assisted when challenged or protected them entirely from challenge. Importantly, 80% of those surveyed said that they felt more confident entering an environment where face coverings were mandatory because of the Face Covering Exemption Card.
We agree therefore that the promotion by the Government of the Hidden Disabilities Face Covering Exemption Card together with a public awareness campaign will assist in publicising the exemptions, educating the public and provide vital relief for disabled people.
We invite the Government to engage with us on this important issue and in light of the additional restrictions being imposed on many areas, time is of the essence and we ask for an urgent response from you.