The Rights of People With Disabilities in Policy Development: 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 policies during the pandemic often ignored the needs of people with disabilities and suggests ways to make future policies more inclusive.

Contribution

The paper introduces the use of universal design principles and involving PwD in policy-making to improve inclusivity.

Findings

Policies during the pandemic mainly focused on general health measures, neglecting specific needs of PwD.

Adopting universal design principles can help create more inclusive policies.

Involving PwD in policy-making and improving data collection can lead to better outcomes.

Abstract

Shikako et al analysis highlights that needs of persons with disability (PwD) were often overlooked, with policies primarily focused on general population health measures rather than specific accommodations for PwD. This commentary suggests adopting universal design principles in policy development to ensure inclusivity and advocate for maintaining services essential for PwD even during crises. It emphasizes the importance of involving PwD in policy-making processes and enhancing data collection for better policy analysis and concludes with recommendations for creating more inclusive policies, stressing the need for international collaboration and the integration of PwD needs into all policy levels.