How to create an inclusive society where different abilities are valued

The COVID-19 crisis has brought unprecedented challenges both for people with and without disabilities. Each of us can play a role in promoting and advancing an inclusive and integrated society.

International Day of Persons with Disability is celebrated internationally on 3 December and has been celebrated since it was proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly. It aims to promote public awareness and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and the well-being of persons with disabilities. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that over a billion people, about 15% of the world's population, is living with some form of disability. Disability prevalence is higher in developing countries, and it is more common among women, older people and children and adults living in poverty. In the years ahead, the number of people with disabilities will increase, namely, due to population aging.

Building back better

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is the first binding international human rights instrument and aims to "promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities” and combined with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development pledge to 'leave no one behind' have become even more relevant now that we are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the EU level, European disability strategy 2010-2020 covers eight main areas for action to make a barrier-free Europe for people with disabilities, including employment, social protection, education and training.

Each year the UN declares a theme for International Day of People with Disability. This year's theme is ‘Building back better: towards an inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities’ linked to the global impact of the COVID pandemic on people with disabilities.

So how do we as a community ‘Build back better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable’ post-COVID-19? 

Hidden disabilities

People with disabilities, in general, are considered a marginalized and discriminated group in all societies. Unfortunately, women and girls with disabilities face ‘double discrimination’ with an increased risk of gender-based violence. A disability is not always obvious and easy to notice. People usually associate disability with wheelchair users, blind or partially sighted or hard of hearing people – all outward signs that people have a disability. However, many people are suffering from chronic diseases or mental health impairments, also known as invisible disabilities, which can have a significant impact on the quality of life and can limit the ability to complete daily activities. Some of the most common 'unseen' or 'hidden' disabilities are anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, acquired brain injury (ABI), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The effects of COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic affected all of us, but more so people with disabilities who are more likely to experience difficulties in accessing social protection, transport, education, or health services. However, the effects of the pandemic are surfacing among people who did not show any signs of 'invisible' disabilities before the lockdown.

Financial pressures, lack of social interaction, fear of the unknown or bereavement are just some factors intensifying the occurrence of invisible disabilities, and this is now becoming apparent as health professionals are seeing an increase in the number of people suffering from anxiety, stress or depression. The recent WHO survey conducted this year in 130 countries ‘The impact of COVID-19 on mental, neurological and substance use services’ reveals that the demand for services is increasing directly or indirectly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the survey also show that over 60% of the countries reported disruptions to mental health services for vulnerable people, including children and adolescents (72%), older adults (70%), and women requiring antenatal or postnatal services (61%).

Embracing diversity and inclusion

The COVID-19 crisis has brought unprecedented challenges both for people with and without disabilities. Societies face significant social, economic and health consequences worldwide. With the outbreak of this pandemic, people with disabilities are at a higher risk with reduced or even lack of access to services.

At EY, we embrace diversity and inclusion of people. We believe that our strengths lie in our differences. We accept that disability is a difference enriching us as a community. Our role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities aligns with advancing the inclusion of those people in need, including people with disabilities. Spread the word and raise awareness are key to making our societies more inclusive and diverse. Each of us can play a role in promoting and advancing an inclusive and integrated society.