A Resilient Community: Tackling COVID-19’s Impact on People with Disability

This report takes a detailed look into the everyday lives of women and men with a disability in the Indonesian province of South Sulawesi and finds that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on their social interaction, and their ability to continue with studies or earn income. It has affected their sense of self and underscores a call for more to be done to include people with a disability in policymaking decisions.

The research builds on a 2020 survey by the Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO), which found that up to 80 percent of those living with a disability had lost their income, while 60 to 90 percent struggled with learning, especially when having to use smartphone apps and other online methods. The disability community was also being excluded from the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of COVID-19 mitigation and recovery.

This report also looks at how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected women and girls with disability; for example, many are expected to do the food shopping during increased restrictions. This localised perspective is designed to drill down into the challenges and identify solutions that policymakers and civil society could apply to their own settings.

It is written with the understanding that government resources have been stretched during the pandemic and, importantly, recommendations are provided that can be implemented with minimal or no cost. Further, it notes that adopting a mindset of committing to inclusion and working with those with a disability can be as valuable to improving lives as funding schemes.

The report also looks at the coping strategies that have been adopted by individuals, and the assistance provided by organisations, and outlines how to support them through policies and programs.