Co-creating Inclusive and Non-ableist Public Health Policies With Persons With Disabilities: Comment on "How Did Governments Address the Needs of People With Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Analysis of 14 Countries’ Policies Based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities"

TL;DR

This paper discusses how public health policies during the pandemic often failed to include people with disabilities and suggests ways to make policies more inclusive.

Contribution

The paper introduces actionable recommendations for governments to create inclusive policies aligned with the UNCRPD.

Findings

Policies varied widely across countries in supporting persons with disabilities during the pandemic.

Recommendations include forming consultative committees and using non-ableist methods to involve disabled individuals.

Intersectionality and structural barriers must be addressed to ensure inclusive policy-making.

Abstract

In their study, Shikako et al analyzed how national policies during the COVID-19 pandemic either supported or neglected the rights of persons with disabilities, aiming to inform the development of inclusive policies that align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). They concluded that the differences in policies across countries during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate a need for greater alignment and standardization of policy responses for individuals with disabilities. While the study revealed disparities across countries and underscored the importance of disability-inclusive policy, this commentary provides actionable insights to guide governments in creating equitable policies that uphold the rights of persons with disabilities during crises and beyond. Specific recommendations in accordance with the UNCRPD include the establishment of permanent consultative committees, adopting a shared understanding of disability, addressing intersectionality and structural barriers, and utilizing non-ableist participation methods so that a diverse range of perspectives are incorporated and lived experiences shape the policies that impact them.