Recommendations to support pandemic resilience among persons with mobility disabilities

Abstract

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic underscored barriers faced by people with a mobility disability and how these barriers affect their adaptive capacity during disasters. People with disability are often an afterthought in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery planning. The aim of this study was to synthesize recommendations made by people with mobility disability that may be operationalized to direct political and public action to resources and assets needed to strengthen adaptive capacity for emergency response. We conducted semi-structured interviews with people with a mobility disability from Ontario and Quebec, Canada (n = 16). Participants’ ages ranged from 20 to 86 years, and disability etiology included stroke, spinal cord injury, osteogenic conditions, and other. Following inductive grounded theory methods, we mapped thematic findings of the recommendations onto the responsible sector that would implement improved strategies. Unified action from stakeholders can ensure people with a mobility disability are prioritized in rollout plans, such as mass vaccination efforts or implementation of emergency response benefits. Public health authorities must consider accessible formats of risk communication and continued collaborative healthcare. Organizations similarly have the responsibility for ensuring a continuum of personal support services, recognizing true essential needs during lockdowns and promoting capacity development. In the future, building hybrid models for health services would balance in-person and virtual opportunities for healthcare, education, work, and activities. Finally, the government, healthcare sector, and organizations must work collaboratively to ensure future pandemic responses support the sustainability of innovations that emerged during the pandemic and those that meet the accessibility needs of people with a mobility disability.