Despite the 30 years, the inequality people with disabilities experience daily continues to exacerbate the hardship of disasters. As we know, people with disabilities are 2-4 times more likely to die or be injured in a disaster than a non-disabled person. Within this, Disabled Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color, who continue to experience legacies of inequality and violence, are disproportionately impacted by disasters.
DESPITE THE ADA & OTHER DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS:
- COVID-19 outbreaks continue to rampage through congregate settings that our people are so often forced into- including nursing homes, group homes, psychiatric settings, and prisons.
- The US Federal government continues to not prioritize the safety of people with disabilities in congregate settings. [For example, the Federal Emergency Management Agency repeatedly continues to provide faulty PPE to nursing facilities: https://nyti.ms/2COopWM]
- Despite the outbreaks, it is easier for hospitals to send people into nursing facilities.
- It is also more difficult to access the resources and supports that can help someone STAY OUT – and GET OUT – of congregate settings.
IT IS CLEAR: We need to get people out of institutional settings NOW.
We must continue to ramp up the fight for equal access to disaster planning, response, and recovery resources:
Our lives depend on it!
JOIN OUR DAILY COVID-19 CALLS: Advocates and disaster partners across the US meet daily to discuss the impacts of the pandemic on the disability community. We identify barriers, learn from each other, hear Federal, state, and local updates. We problem-solve, connect each other with resources and strategize, on getting our people out of congregate settings.
Calls are held at 6 pm EST, except on Thursday, when we convene at 7 pm EST.
Statement: The 30th Anniversary of the ADA During a Pandemic
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Updated: June 1, 2023 by admin
We must continue to ramp up the fight for equal access to disaster planning, response, and recovery resources:
Our lives depend on it!
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