Project Launch | VODG Commission on COVID-19, Disablism and Systemic Racism

Why Are We Doing This work?

Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen how the worst impacts of COVID-19 have fallen on disabled people and even more so on disabled people of colour. For example, people who reported that they were limited a lot by their disability were over three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than non-disabled people.[1] People with a learning disability from an Asian/Asian British background were three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than a white British person with a learning disability.^[2] Moreover, in care homes, Black and Asian people who died were more likely than White people to die with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (31% and 30% respectively).[3]

We want to explore the extent to which these shocking statistics and negative outcomes arise from systemic neglect of social care over many years, worsened by confused policy approaches, conflicting guidance, and poor implementation through the course of the pandemic.

What Are the Objectives of This Work?

• Gather evidence and respond to the harms that COVID-19 has caused disabled people.
• Scrutinise the policies and responses to the pandemic and the impact these had on outcomes for disabled people, including ways in which systemic racism may have further worsened outcomes for disabled people of colour.
• Highlight injustice and build solutions and support for transformative and sustainable change in health and social care, which uphold the principles of justice and human rights.

Evidence and Analysis

We will draw on a variety of primary and secondary evidence, emphasising the importance of personal experiences as well as more formal evidence.

We will undertake research and draw on existing research and official statistics, alongside conducting a sector-led call for evidence, complemented with Freedom of Information Access requests where necessary. Secondary evidence will also include statements and accounts of the pandemic from disabled people’s organisations, charities, and campaigners.

Alongside this, we will invite a number of Disabled People’s Organisations to host their own conversation(s) around emerging issues, providing them with the resources to generate their own commentary.

We will stimulate an extensive, inclusive, and constructive conversation around how to address the inequalities experienced by disabled people, particularly disabled people of colour. With the steer of the Commissioners, we will facilitate the development of fair and just solutions that have been co-produced.

Reporting and Influence

We will provide regular updates about the progress of the work and emerging findings, providing transparency and continuous opportunities for participation.

To generate impact, we will embed this work into our ongoing influencing activities, utilising our existing channels into government, especially the Department of Health and Social Care and its non-departmental bodies.

We will publish briefings, issue media statements, and reach into our parliamentary, policy and wider public affairs networks to ensure that our learning is widely shared. Our parliamentary outreach will include responding and making representations to parliamentary committees and we will support this with proactive media stories.