NDA Submission to Ireland’s Independent COVID-19 Evaluation – stakeholder / organisation submission on the impacts of the management of the pandemic in Ireland.

The NDA made a submission to the independent Covid-19 evaluation on the impact of the management of the pandemic in Ireland. Our submission focussed on the impact the pandemic had on disabled people in Ireland, along with lessons learned from the management of the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on disabled people in Ireland and worldwide. There have been high numbers of COVID-19 clusters in residential care facilities, and high rates of mortality in some centres, particularly nursing homes.. Disabled people have also been adversely affected by the closure of schools, the temporary suspension of services, such as respite, and the reduction of others, such as home support and adult day services.

We advise that any future guidance in responding to events such as a pandemic would be aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), and in particular Article 11 which obliges states to take all necessary steps to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.