Rights of persons with disabilites and COVID-19

Persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted due to attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers that are reproduced in the COVID-19 response.Persons with disabilities have pre-existing health conditions that make them more susceptible to contracting the virus, experiencing more severe symptoms upon infection, leading to elevated levels of death. Persons with disabilities who are dependent on support for their daily living may find themselves isolated and unable to survive during lockdown measures, while those

living in institutions are particularly vulnerable. Persons with disabilities face discrimination and other barriers in accessing livelihood and income support, participating in online forms of education, and seeking protection from violence.