Time to be counted: COVID-19 and intellectual and developmental disabilities—an RSC Policy Briefing
Annette Majnemer,
Patrick J. McGrath,
Jennifer Baumbusch,
Chantal Camden,
Barbara Fallon,
Yona Lunsky,
Steven P. Miller,
Genevieve Sansone,
Tim Stainton,
John Sumarah,
Donna Thomson,
Jennifer Zwicker
Affiliations
Annette Majnemer
School of Physical & Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y5, Canada Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3S5, Canada
Patrick J. McGrath
Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS B3K 6R8, Canada
Jennifer Baumbusch
School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada Canadian Institute of Health Research Chair in Sex & Gender Science, Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9, Canada
Chantal Camden
École de Réadaptation, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada CRCHUS et à l’IUPLSSS, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada
Barbara Fallon
Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada
Yona Lunsky
Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
Steven P. Miller
Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
Genevieve Sansone
Fraser Mustard Policy Bench, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1V4, Canada
Tim Stainton
School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives and well-being of all people globally, with consequences being observed across all domains from physical and mental health, to education and employment outcomes, to access to community supports and services. However, the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health restrictions on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has largely been overlooked. Not only do people with IDD have a greater risk of severe complications and death from the virus as shown in large-scale studies, but they also face significant short- and long-term consequences of COVID-related public health measures on their mental health and well-being. At a time when this vulnerable population is already feeling undervalued, ignored, and forgotten, it is imperative that the risks facing adults and children with IDD—as well as their families and caregivers—are recognized, valued, and addressed through a disability-inclusive approach to Canada’s pandemic policy response planning. This requires both a mainstreaming of disability inclusion into all COVID-19 response and recovery policies as well as disability-specific policies to address the unique barriers and challenges encountered by people with IDD during the pandemic. The recommendations in this policy briefing aim to achieve a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable Canada for people with IDD both during and after the pandemic—an approach that will result in benefits for all of society.
