The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant risk to the health and wellbeing of all Australians, but particularly people with disability. More than 4.4 million people in Australia have disability – this is equal to almost one in five Australians.
The issues and risks with COVID-19 for people with disability may vary with the type of disability (e.g. intellectual disability, mobility impairments ) as well as factors such as age, gender, socio-economic status, family environment, where someone lives, whether they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and whether they are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District will convene an information session on 9 March 2022 to provide information about the effect of Covid-19 in Shepparton, and a presentation on Covid-19 and disability and self advocacy. All are welcome.
Human rights in health and disability care during COVID-19
The Australian Human Rights Commission has made guidelines to protect the rights of people with disability.
Guidelines are like rules.
The guidelines are for health and disability workers during coronavirus.
Health and disability workers should
- Know about people’s rights
- Protect people’s rights
People should get the health care they need during coronavirus.
Human Rights
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a law that protects the rights of people with disability around the world.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says discrimination is never ok.
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says people with disability
- Have the same rights as other people
- Must be respected
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities says people with disability have the right to
- Be included in their community
- Make their own decisions and choices
Rights in a pandemic
Coronavirus has been called a pandemic.
A pandemic is when a virus spreads to lots of countries around the world.
During a pandemic some rights are very important.
- The right to life
- Good health and health care
- Information like Easy Read
People with disability have the right to make choices about their health.
This includes having support to make choices.
The guidelines say people with disability should get the health care they need during the pandemic.
What workers should do
Health and disability workers should always protect the rights of people with disability.
During coronavirus this is very important.
Health workers include
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Therapists like OTs
Effects of Covid in the Disability Community
The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is convening an information sessions about the effects of Covid-19 in the Shepparton Community as well as a short presentation on what self-advocacy is, and how a person can stand up for their rights.
If you are a person with a disability, a parent or a carer, and come from the multicultural community – we want to hear from you in this session.
If you are wishing to attend this session, please call Athena on 0439 376 551 to register your interest before 7 March 2022.
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