Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on disabled people in New Zealand

Background:Countermeasures employed around the world to minimise the spread of COVID-19 have greatly affected disabled people, often disproportionately. This research project explores the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on disabled people in Wellington, New Zealand.

Method:Eight adult participants, each with a lived experience of disability, provided accounts of their experiences during the 2020 nationwide lockdown in New Zealand, through semi-structured interviews or written responses. Responses were analysed within an interpretive description methodology.

Findings:Four main themes with sub-themes were identified: 1) impacts of COVID-19 countermeasures on disabled people were multi-faceted, including impacts on physical and mental health, and disruption to support networks; 2) disabled people managed during restrictions in numerous ways, including accessing information and pro-actively managing changes in support structures; 3) pandemic experiences tell us about disability, with pandemic restrictions often exacerbating existing barriers; 4) planning for the future is vital, both for pandemic planning and for a future with less barriers for disabled people.

Conclusions:Insights gained from participants highlighted how COVID-19 countermeasures impacted significantly upon disabled people. Accessible information, systems preparation, and planning for disruptions in support services, are critical for future pandemic planning; planning which must include disabled people at all levels.