Consistently excluded: A disability inclusion analysis of Canada’s COVID-19 policies

Consistently excluded: A disability inclusion analysis of Canada’s COVID-19 policies  

Deborah Stienstra, Jarislowsky Chair in Social Work, Director, Life Work Well Research Centre  

& Valérie Grand’Maison, researcher, Live Work Well Research Centre, Guelph University  

Commentator: Gabrielle Peters, Disabled Writer and Policy Analyst 

Thursday, March 3, 2022:  12:30-2 pm

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_djp-TjEKQJGngNdXmVqZNw

Event Poster

Our recent research report found that COVID-19 exposed pre-existing systemic exclusion of people with disabilities from policy planning and decision-making. Inequities faced by people with disabilities have intensified during the pandemic in many areas including income, housing, food security and violence. The impacts of COVID-19 and related policies can be best understood through an intersectional disability inclusive framework that considers the experiences of diverse groups of disabled people, including those who are racialized, Indigenous, low-income, women, and people living in congregate settings. These groups face cumulative and cascading barriers that shape their experiences during COVID-19. Policy responses must include disability leaders and organizations that represent the diversity of people with disabilities in Canada and address the exposed gaps.