Persons with disabilities are likely to be disproportionately affected by COVID 19 due to a variety of barri- ers in accessing information on prevention of COVID 19 and hygiene practices and to various extends their dependence on physical contact with the environment and others for support.
Certain impairments may also dispose PWDs to risk factors such as respiratory conditions. As noted by the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, Catalina Devandas, "People with disabilities feel they have been left behind. Containment measures, such as social distancing and self-iso- lation, may be impossible for those who rely on the support of others to eat, dress and bathe".
One of the gaps that has been noted is lack of information on the numbers of PWD that have been directly affected or impacted by COVID 19.
