From July to September 2020, the Cabinet Office Disability Unit commissioned the Policy Lab to conduct ethnographically-led research into the experiences of disabled people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The aim was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of disabled people, to identify problems that could be resolved through policy changes and to make the changes necessary that would lead to positive outcomes.
The government states that this research will not only feed into short-term responses to COVID-19, it will also be considered regarding policies within the Disability Unit’s National Strategy for Disabled People and long-term planning efforts regarding possible future pandemics.
Key findings from each chapter have been highlighted below:
Chapter 1: Identity and self-perception
Key findings
during the pandemic, participants have felt increased levels of shame and guilt about their ‘disabled’ identities and the needs that accompany them
participants’ experiences and perceptions of being classified as ‘vulnerable’ during COVID-19 have differed markedly
participants have felt particularly vulnerable when receiving social and healthcare services during the pandemic
lockdown restrictions and other actions mandated by the government, aimed at stemming the spread of COVID-19, have given some participants the impression that their needs do not matter
Key findings
participants found the changing rules around COVID-19 difficult to understand and follow across different areas of their lives
uncertainty throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on participants’ mental health
some participants have found new and existing coping strategies particularly helpful in managing their health conditions during the pandemic
Chapter 3: Shifting challenges – navigating boundaries and limits
Key findings
the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated the existing inequalities experienced by our disabled participants
some participants felt that COVID-19 restrictions have conflicted with their disability access needs
participants felt that people in wider society have often been able to ‘cherry pick’ the COVID-19 rules they are going to abide by, because they have more freedom to do so, whereas disabled people cannot, mainly due to new and existing social barriers
Chapter 4: Independence and choice
Key findings
COVID-19 has presented new challenges for some of our participants in terms of living independently, reducing their ability to choose suitable support options
for some participants, independent living choices have been uninterrupted during the pandemic
Key findings
participants used words such as “slowing down” when referring to their experience of ‘time’ during the pandemic
participants have experienced pandemic-related delays and disruptions to their routine healthcare appointments
the pandemic has extended waiting times for our participants with high support and medical needs
Chapter 6: Good things to emerge
Key findings
the lockdown has provided an opportunity for some participants to re-evaluate their independence and seek ways to enhance their independent living
the additional time afforded by the pandemic has been particularly important for some disabled participants
The government will be adding British Sign Language (BSL), Welsh, Easy Read and large print versions of this report in the coming weeks. People will also be able to request a Braille version. Please email DUpublications@cabinetoffice.gov.uk or phone 0800 1 95 95 96 for further information.
