This Research Will Aim To Analyze Literature Based On The Impact Of COVID-19: Social Science Dissertation, UCC, Ireland

Introduction

This research will aim to analyze literature based on the impact of COVID-19 on those with disabilities. I will examine the measures taken by Ireland in terms of the rights and discrimination faced by those with disabilities since the pandemic has developed in Ireland since March 2020.

The key considerations examined throughout this project will include: the lack of specific and systematic considerations of human rights and equality, the lack of measures to deal with the differential effects of COVID-19 on those with a disability, The impact on those in residential homes, the consequences and impact on the family home and those cocooning from home, disadvantage and discrimination being faced and exposed, the lack of potential education and employment for those with a disability, communication difficulties due to facemask and PPE gear, limitations of a physical environment, challenges to social distance due to the need for personal care and lastly social stigma.

The main aim of this literature review is to examine how those with a disability are impacted by COVID-19. The keywords that will be focused on for this literature review will include: “COVID-19”, “Impact”, and “People with disabilities”.

COVID-19 is defined as a highly infectious disease caused by a newly discovered strain of coronavirus, which has led to a global pandemic. It has been spreading globally since it was first found in Wuhan, China in December 2019 (gov. ie). Individuals who get infected by COVID-19 are likely to experience some respiratory illness and recover without requiring treatment. Elderly, peoples with disabilities and individuals with underlining conditions do not tend to recover as easily and it may develop into a more serious illness.

The virus can spread rapidly and the only way as of now to prevent it is to keep a two-meter distance from those not from your household and managing hygiene efficiently. The government has advised all individuals to stay home as much as possible, avoid close contact, and advise a high standard of hygiene. (WHO, 2021) Society has adjusted significantly since the beginning of the pandemic in December 2019. Ireland was put into its first lockdown in mid-March 2020. Lockdown implemented restrictions from the government that all citizens must oblige to.

Lockdown was broken up into levels, depending on the severity of the cases in the country. In level 5, day centers, bars, restaurants, leisure centers, and all non-essential organizations were forced to shut down temporarily. Ireland is currently in its third lockdown, with the number of cases being the highest yet. Citizens are not allowed to go further than 2 kilometers from their home unless it is for essential purposes. Face masks now must be worn in the majority of public places and social distancing measures have been made in all businesses and organizations. (Gov. ie, 2020)

Disability has been defined as a “substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the Irish State or to participate in social or cultural life in the Irish State because of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment” (Government of Ireland, 2005) There are numerous definitions of disability, many that contradict others.

The variety of definitions originate from numerous different viewpoints. Recent discussions and developments within the disability sector are challenging the previous consensus on the conception of disability. In the past 40 years, Ireland has slowly moved from the medical model to the social model in the social science field. The medical model is still grounded in Ireland, but changes and developments are slowly occurring.

This shift was driven by the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD). The medical and charitable model finds the problem within the individual instead of in society. The person ‘has’ the disability therefore the way to alleviate the related problem is to ‘fix’ the person or to create ways for the person to adapt to life within the non-disabled world. (Smith, 2009) This viewpoint is what led to the stereotype of believing a person with disabilities has something ‘wrong with them. (Barnes, 2010) The social model of disability is the opposite of the medical model. Researchers such as Shakespeare, Barton, and Barnes, and others believed that the disability was not in a person but the society. The social system did not take into consideration individuals’ needs and forced them to adapt to a society that was not built for them (care alliance, 2017).

An example to differentiate the models would be a building with steps and no elevator/ramp available, therefore an individual with a wheelchair cannot access the building. Is the person not suited for the building or is the building not suited for the person? This is not the fault of the individual with the wheelchair, it is the fault of the group of architects and planners of the building, they failed to consider people with disabilities exist. Disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (United Nations, 2006)