Pan American Health Organization presents recommendations on COVID-19 for people with disabilities

 Webinar 1

The suggestions were made within the framework of a webinar in which various specialists in the area participated and which virtually brought together public health entities, organizations of people with disabilities and member states.

Considered a global pandemic, the arrival of the COVID-19 outbreak has meant that different authorities have applied various prevention measures, with the purpose of reducing the spread that affects much of the world.

It is known that the virus mainly affects older adults or those who have a chronic illness. Added to this risk group, there are also people with disabilities, who may present obstacles to accessing public health information and even more so because they present difficulties due to their own context or reality, which prevents them from following the measures indicated to prevent the contagion.

In this context, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a webinar on March 26 to address precisely the recommendations that people with disabilities should take into account. On the occasion, there was the presence of Andrea Vicari (Advisor on epidemiogenic diseases PAHO), Natalia Guala (Executive Director of ONCE), Antony Duttine (Regional Advisor on Disability and Rehabilitation of the WHO), Carlos Kaiser (Executive Director of the NGO Inclusiva) and Esteban Camacho (Technical Secretariat of Disabilities of Ecuador).

In addition, on the occasion, PAHO presented a document where all the guidelines are provided on how to face COVID-19 prevention measures both for people with disabilities or members of their family or close circle, as well as for governments, personal health and service providers for people with disabilities.

Among some of the suggestions present in the document are asking for help from your inner circle to make purchases; If using any assistive device, ensure its frequent disinfection; If you depend on caregivers, consider expanding this group in case someone gets sick; inform those around you about actions or assistance required in case of contracting COVID-19; for providers, use a variety of communication platforms to inform people with disabilities and support networks; offer appropriate services, such as home consultations or platforms used for telehealth; among other.

"The International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 2006 and ratified by Chile in 2008, in its article 11, refers to risk situations and humanitarian emergencies, expressly stating that member states must take 'all the necessary measures to guarantee the protection and safety of people with disabilities in risk situations, which is undoubtedly very important when it comes to demanding that states carry out special protocols on COVID-19 for people with disabilities. ", explains differential educator Alejandra Galleguillos, who together with psychologist Rosana Toro, participated in the seminar as members of the team of the Comprehensive Support Plan for ULS students, within the framework of inclusion and universal accessibility.

To review all the recommendations delivered by PAHO, download the Document “Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Written by Daniela Ledezma, Comprehensive Support Plan for ULS students, within the framework of inclusion and universal accessibility.