Key Facts and Information | 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 from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic groups*.

*Please see here for a note on language and definitions.

• 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.
• 46% of disabled people reported that COVID-19 had made their mental health worse, compared to 29% of non-disabled people.
• 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.

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. 

For example:

• The first wave of personal protective equipment delivery to care services did not provide for disabled people because the response was focused on large institutional services, compared with the smaller community-based, at home and supported living services they favour.
• Blanket ‘Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation’ orders were placed on disabled people.
• Disability services were left behind in the initial roll out of testing.
• People with a learning disability, including those with significant complex needs, were a sixth order priority for vaccinations.