DISABLED people are being called on to speak about how the pandemic has affected them.
West Midlands Combined Authority and Midland Mencap say many aren’t speaking up about how Covid has impacted their lives, so the two organisations are finding out how lockdown has affected disabled people’s ability to access exercise and what can be done to help them be active in the future.
As part of the Include Me Citizens Network programme, they are appealing for disabled people to get in touch and let them know about their experiences – good or bad.
Ashleigh Jones, the Citizens Network has a ‘connector’, is responsible for going into communities to speak to disabled people directly to find out if they have been able to remain active during lockdown – and if not, if anything can be done to remove barriers to being active once lockdown is lifted.
Pam Johnson, operations manager, Midland Mencap, said: “We anticipate that coming out of lockdown will be challenging for some disabled people who may still be concerned about Covid, and many are not part of support groups who have their voices heard.
“Many disabled people will currently be shielding, however when the country starts to open up we want to be in a position where we have more of an idea of the barriers to activity across the region so we can address these problems.
“Barriers to activity for disabled people could be as simple as a swimming pool not having a hoist to help them into the water, or it be something more complex such as lack of suitable public transport.”
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