(CNS) People with disabilities were often overlooked and faced discrimination in various health care policies and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the Pontifical Academy for Life.
“The negative experiences of persons with disabilities during this pandemic do not only stem from the increased vulnerability” of contracting the virus and developing serious symptoms, “they also stem from society’s failure, generally, to value and include persons with disabilities when developing and implementing public health policies,” the academy said in a new document.
Also, in many countries, “the predominant ethical framework for practice and policy has been utilitarian and aimed at the greatest good for the greatest number in society. Such a framework has not served persons with disabilities and their families well,” it said.
Released June 15, the 10-page “note” is titled, “Friendship with Persons with Disabilities: The Beginning of a New World. Learning from Experiences of Persons with Disabilities and Their Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” It initially was made available in three languages at academyforlife.va.
People with disabilities “fared far worse during this pandemic than those who do not experience similar health inequities” or barriers to access, it said.
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