Community participation disparities among people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose To describe disparities in community participation during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with disabilities. Methods Respondents to Phase 3.3 of the COVID Household Pulse Survey (US Census Bureau) were classified by disability status. Risk ratios and risk differences were computed to compare the risk of poor outcomes on economic participation, community service use, and community activities by disability status - both overall (compared to the nondisabled reference) and by race/ethnicity (each subgroup compared to the White nondisabled reference). Results At least one type of disability was reported by 59.6% of respondents. People with disabilities were more likely to report in-person medical appointments but were at greater risk of poor outcomes across all other outcomes [risk ratio range = 1.01(1.01–1.02) to 1.91(1.80–2.01), risk difference range = 1.0(0.5–1.5) to 13.4(12.6–14.2)]. The disabled Black and disabled Hispanic/Latino groups experienced disproportionately high risk of poor outcomes across all indicators [risk ratio range = 1.0 (1.0–1.1) to 6.1 (5.0–7.1), risk difference range = 3.2 (1.9–4.4) to 33.1 (30.1–35.4)]. Conclusions The high number of people reporting disability, along with the notable disparities in community participation outcomes among those reporting disability, suggest the need for expanded rehabilitation services and community supports to enhance participation.