A tailored response for people with disability is urgently needed

The re-introduction of  Stage 3 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire has raised questions about how best to respond to the health, educational and social care needs of children and adults with disability living in areas with high rates of infection. Experts from the Centre for Research Excellence in Disability and Health have a list of recommendations for government to better support people with disability. These include:

• Community outreach to address the disability supports, social welfare and health care needs of people with disabilities
• Tailored responses from the NDIS and disability services to support people with disabilities living in areas with high rates of infection
• Addressing the risk of COVID-19 for children and young people with disability returning to school or learning from home
• For other States and Territories to take Victoria’s experience as a salutary warning on the need to plan ahead to support people with disability in the pandemic.

Read the full position statement from the CRE-DH here