Unique opportunity to be more inclusive for people with disabilities by continuing the access to knowledge and education. It protects high-risk individuals from exposure while allowing for participation and permits socialization between individuals.

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

The COVID 19 pandemic impacted all people in profound ways, however, people with disabilities have been impacted more harshly and at a much higher level than people without disabilities. People of different disabilities were also impacted in varying ways. It is important to keep in mind that while these challenges are COVID specific, many of the remedies can be incorporated into daily life to make day to day living easier. 

Pandemic and Disability: Challenges Faced and Role of Technology

Parida, M., Sinha, M. (2021). Pandemic and disability: Challenges faced and role of Technology. Technology and Disability, 33(4), 245–252. https://doi.org/10.3233/tad-200311 

Pandemic and Disability: Challenges Faced and Role of Technology Reference 

People with a visual disability often rely on other senses, such as touch, to navigate through the world. Due to surface contamination as a result of COVID, people with such limitations are automatically put at a higher risk to COVID. Additionally, websites and resource pages are not up to date with accessible help and information. 

Challenges Faced by People with a Visual Disability 

People with auditory disabilities tend to be viewed as slow with cognitive processing even though the actual problem lies in how the information is conveyed. Additionally, the removal of auditory and visual stimuli can be detrimental to people with auditory disabilities, especially if they do not know sign language. The pandemic has made society as a whole rely more on technology, which can be problematic: for example, while necessary, wearing a mask prevents people with hearing issues from being able to read lips. 

Challenges Faced by People with an Auditory Disability

The social distancing needed due to the pandemic makes any disability requiring physical aid extremely difficult to manage. Aides, such as crutches, wheelchairs, or prosthetic limbs, require more time and resources to decontaminate. Disruption to routine medical check ups can be detrimental to an individual with a disability's health. 

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