By Ademibolanle Ajijala (Advocate of Inclusion)
THE Pandemic called COVID-19 caused by CORONAVIRUS which is ravaging the whole world will hit the disability community hard unless and until we take necessary steps to help and save the most vulnerable group in the society.
Below are some of the challenges that will generally be faced by persons with disability:
The World Health organization (WHO) recommends “DO NOT TOUCH” as a measure to prevent contacting the highly contagious disease.
Unfortunately, “do not touch” is not for the blind or the visually impaired who must necessarily touch and be touched. The hand of the blind is their eyes, they feel their way by touching the things around.
The blind read Braille with their fingers and wearing glove will constitute a barrier to this process.
The blind and persons on crutches will of necessity, hold unto staircase hand rails for support or guide.
WHO recommends “social distancing” but this is not for persons on wheelchair. In the absence of motorized wheelchair, the physically challenged on the wheelchair must depend on the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) to push the wheelchair.
The deaf persons do not hear the announcements, radio Jingles or community alerts
Children suffering from autism, hydrocephalus and such are unable to help themselves in maintaining personal hygiene which is very crucial at this time
Recommended Measures:
In the light of the above, the following are the recommended measures to help the set of people as mentioned above:
The blind and all personal care attendants must, in addition to the frequent washing of hands, wear gloves.
The sighted guides of the blind must in addition to wearing gloves and masks, allow the blind to hold unto the guide’s shoulder and avoid holding hands or dragging with guide cane. The conventional practice of holding unto elbow is now discouraged because “WHO” advised people to cough into their elbow .
Volunteer readers are needed to bridge the reading gap for the blind. Volunteer readers must maintain a 6ft space between the reader and the blind.
The blind are also encouraged to utilize computer-based speech Applications for their reading if and when available.
The personal care attendants, in addition to wearing gloves, must wear masks, hold only unto the wheelchair and avoid touching the person on the wheelchair( or at most touch their shoulders).
Family members or close associate of the Deaf person must explain the announcements and jingles to the deaf.
Member of the public must avoid touching the deaf as a way of communicating with them but should rather maintain eye contact with the deaf while maintaining social distance.
Deaf persons and sign language interpreters are advised to limit the frequency of touching their face when communicating or interpreting messages to the Deaf.
Medias, offices and agencies should utilize the services of professional sign language interpreters to communicate public notices to the deaf.
Sign language interpreters are advised to use protective gloves.
Parents of children with autistism and hydrocephalus must maintain basic rules of hygiene for the welfare of their children/wards
Parent and care givers must ensure that Persons with Disability, especially children with special needs must feed well so as to build up their immune systems.
