Annual Listening Session 2021: Building Back Better Post COVID-19

NDA Listening Session 2021: "Building Back Better Post COVID-19"

The theme of the 2021 session was ‘Building Back Better: The Post COVID-19 World For Persons With Disabilities’.

The aim of the session was to hear perspectives on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education, employment, daily living, and the role technology.

In particular, we wanted to hear of innovations or developments that could be adopted in the post-pandemic world to achieve better outcomes for people with disabilities.

Although participants highlighted the difficulties and challenges they experienced during the pandemic, many participants also experienced positive developments.

Many expressed hope that the positive elements achieved during the pandemic wouldn’t be lost but instead would be built on and improved for the future.

The views of people with disabilities voiced in the listening session have been grouped into four categories

1. Representation and voice
2. Universal Design
3. Technology and education
4. Employment.

A summary of the report was prepared and shared with the Minister of State for Disabilities.