[COVID-19\Caribbean\Disabled Persons]
Dr. Floyd Morris: “Persons with disabilities are extremely vulnerable to this disease and special considerations must be given to them and their caregivers if anyone of them should contract COVID-19.”
Photo: Caricom
The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is calling upon regional Caribbean governments and members of the private sector, to give special consideration to persons with disabilities during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Senator Dr. Floyd Morris: “Regional governments and private sector companies have been forced to make significant adjustments to the services they offer to the public and special consideration should be given to persons with disabilities.”
The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability has issued a ten point protocol for governments to consider for persons with disabilities who might contract the COVID-19. Morris says: “Persons with disabilities are extremely vulnerable to this disease and special considerations must be given to them and their caregivers if anyone of them should contract COVID-19.”
Morris has also taken note that governments have been offering a plethora of support to citizens across the region and is commending them for their efforts. However, according to the CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability: “Due consideration must be given to the fact that most persons with disabilities are among the neediest in society and they do not have the financial means to purchase some of the basic necessities during an unexpected crisis such as that brought on by COVID-19. Therefore, priority must be given to persons with disabilities and their families.”
As it relates to the private sector, Senator Dr. Floyd Morris is making a special appeal for: “Ensure that your services are accessible and inclusive of persons with disabilities. Banks for example, must ensure that their online systems are accessible both in hardware and software for members of this vulnerable community.”
The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability has cited some future opportunities for persons with disabilities emanating from the COVID crisis. According to Morris, “I have seen a number of governments and private sector companies implementing work from home initiatives. This is a welcoming trend as advocates for persons with disabilities have been placing such an option on the table as a means of addressing the chronic unemployment problem facing members of this vulnerable community in the Caribbean.”
The CARICOM Special Rapporteur on Disability says: “It is obvious that in the post-COVID-19 environment, technology will be driving production and productivity. Persons with disabilities must be included in this trajectory as it is an effective way of dealing with some of the accessibility issues relating to physical locations for persons with some types of disabilities.”
Based on the 2011 World Health Organization Report on Persons with Disabilities, there is an estimated 1 million persons with disabilities living in CARICOM countries.
