The coronavirus crisis has left disabled people feeling “abandoned, ignored and devalued”, according to a new report by user-led organisations and their allies in the north-east of England.
The report, Manifesto for a Better Normal, focuses on four key areas that have been a concern for disabled people in the north-east during the pandemic: access and inclusion, health and social care, employment, and benefits.
The report calls for action from local organisations, including councils, as well as other service-providers and employers, but also the UK government.
Its recommendations include the need for extra investment and support “to ensure disabled people’s rights are protected both during and after the current crisis”; personalised support “that is flexible enough to meet individual needs”; and the involvement of disabled people in planning and decision-making.
