As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, Minister Carla Qualtrough (federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development & Disability Inclusion) has struck a Disability Advisory Group, in recognition of the particular needs of people with disabilities. Al Etmanski, co-Chair of the Advisory Group, notes the leadership shown by this Minister and this government on disability policy. At the same time, he affirms the tensions in the disability community about 5 aspects of the federal government’s response to disability issues in the pandemic:
- the need for income supplement for extraordinary costs associated with disability;
- the existential threat posed by triage procedures and allocation of scarce health care resources;
- the need to recognize the contributions of family, spousal & intimate caregivers as an essential part of the care team, especially in hospitals;
- the need for fully accessible communication to ensure equitable access to information and treatment; and,
- the need for forward-planning to ensure improved emergency preparation in the future.
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To learn more about Al Etmanski – community organizer, social entrepreneur and author: https://aletmanski.com/about/