Protecting disabled persons from Covid-19

Subject: Protecting disabled persons from Covid-19

Disabled persons are one of the groups most vulnerable to infection with the new coronavirus. In Articles 10 ‘Right to Life’, 11 ‘Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies’ and 25 ‘Health’ of the UNCRPD, the Contracting Parties are invited to implement measures to protect them at times of crisis. The Member States have not taken any specific measures for the disabled, and indeed it is unclear how they can live independently and with dignity (no-contact, individual responsibility for hygiene, etc.) at times of risk of infection with the virus. There is little information available in all Member States on the guidelines to be followed for high-risk groups. Two examples worth imitating are France (easily legible information) and Denmark (use of sign language).

In view of the above, will the Commission say:

1. Does it intend to issue recommendations for the protection of the health of the disabled as laid down by the UNCRPD during the current crisis?

2. Will it provide a framework for incentives for the private sector and civil society to provide immediate information to disabled EU citizens?

3. Is it considering other options for information to be rapidly made available linked to the EU’s uniform obligations to protect the health of vulnerable groups in future?

Answer given by Ms Dalli on behalf of the European Commission

(27 July 2020)

The Commission has raised awareness and called the attention of Member States to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with disabilities.

The High Representative/Vice-President, the Vice-President for Values and Transparency and the Commissioner for Equality have stated that the protection of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities need to be placed at the centre of our response and recovery efforts (1).

The Commission is in close contact with European level disability organisations and organisations of service providers for persons with disabilities and is considering their recommendations carefully.

In a letter from the Commissioner for Equality, the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety addressed to Ministers in charge of persons with disabilities, the need of paying particular attention to the situation of persons with disabilities during this crisis is underlined.

The Commission is ensuring that information published on its website related to COVID-19 is accessible for persons with disabilities. In addition, the recommendation on mobile applications related to COVID-19 addresses accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published guidance on infection prevention and control in long- term care facilities (2) and guidance on surveillance of COVID-19 at long-term care facilities (3). The ECDC will also publish reports on medically and socially vulnerable groups.

⋅1∙ https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_20_903

⋅2∙ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/Infection-prevention-control-for-the-care-of-patients-with-2019-

nCoV-healthcare-settings_update-31-March-2020.pdf

⋅3∙ https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/covid-19-long-term-care-facilities-surveillance-guidance.pdf