A study in the UK revealed that people living with disabilities are faced with life-threatening abuse and discrimination due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study conducted by the University of Birmingham indicates that people living with disabilities are faced with major barriers across all sectors of society in low-and middle-income countries that affects their access to healthcare, jobs and expose them to violence. 

“Disabled people across the Global South have faced significant discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving them at greater risk of life-threatening abuse, violence and mental health problems, according to a new study.

“They encountered major barriers across all sectors of society in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): deprioritised in healthcare; excluded from education; facing significant poverty due to unemployment; and experiencing significant abuse and violence both in community and institutions,” the report said.

According to the finding by the two university researchers Vera Kuben and Dina Kiwan, it was published as part of their GCRF Network+ Disability UnderSiege project, focusing on health, education, economy, and community. 

The key findings include major challenges base on their access to health, education, economy and treatment in the communities. 

The findings were pulled from the analysis of 113 texts and 67 reports from Non-Governmental Organisations, UN agencies, governments and Disabled People’s Organisations plus 46 academic research papers, including 14 on the impact of previous disasters and pandemic on disabled people.  

After the research was concluded, Mr Vera, said “We found significant discrimination faced by disabled people across all sectors of society – deprioritised in healthcare, excluded from education, facing poverty and experiencing abuse and violence. For many, these exclusions have been just as life-threatening as COVID-19.

“Where governments have acted to limit the pandemic’s impact, disabled people have been excluded from plans. There is also a worrying lack of data on how disabled people have been affected – meaning policymakers cannot assess the impact and take mitigating action.”

The study recommends five key that will address the oppression faced by people with disability under COVID-19.