Disabled people urged to share their views on the impact of Covid-19

Disabled people across Greater Manchester are being urged to give their views and share their stories of the impact of Covid-19 on their health and wellbeing.

The Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel has launched a survey to capture the experiences of disabled people in the city-region. The survey results will then be used by the panel to support improvements in how Greater Manchester responds and recovers from the pandemic.

The survey has been open for three weeks and has already had more than 600 responses, with initial findings highlighting difficulties in accessing information online and in obtaining Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Many disabled people are also not on the government’s shielding list but still require support. One third of disabled people have said they are unable to access their healthcare needs and two thirds of disabled people have reported their mental health has been negatively affected.

The survey has now been extended to May 25 to ensure as many people as possible have had the chance to give their views. There is also an easy-read version of the survey. Both can be found at gmconsult.org (opens new page).

The Disabled People’s Panel, established by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, brings together disabled people from across Greater Manchester to influence public services and support the rights of disabled people.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham recently attended the panel, hearing about the challenges they are facing.

www.gmconsult.org “We want to build back better in every community but especially those that have faced more challenges than others. To do this we need to hear where the gaps are in our public services, who needs more support and how we do this more effectively.

“I am grateful for the commitment of the Disabled People’s Panel, and their work with this survey, and urge all disabled people to complete the survey to help us identity how to do things better together.”

Greater Manchester Lead for Equalities, Cllr Brenda Warrington, said: “This is a challenging time for people across Greater Manchester but nobody more so than our disabled residents, who have faced a number of challenges as a result of the outbreak.

“While we work together to respond and recover it is so important that people’s views are heard, listened to and acted upon. That is what this incredibly important survey will help us to do, and make sure disabled people’s views and experiences are at the heart of what we do moving forward as we build, back better.”

Article Published: 14/05/2020 09:14 AM