By Tim Hart and Nthabiseng Molongoana
Are you a person with a disability and want to share your experiences and thoughts about disability and COVID-19 in South Africa? If so, then this survey is the chance to have your voice heard.
In recent weeks we have received numerous requests about mobilising the rights of people with disabilities to ensure that those who want the COVID-19 Vaccine can get this. We have also received many reports on the challenges people with disabilities face in South Africa while having a disability and the pandemic. This survey enables you to have your say on these and other matters affecting you as a person with a disability. It covers human rights issues about people with disabilities and explores these. At the same time, it looks at the support you have received and how current circumstances can be improved now and in the event of a future pandemic or national disaster.
The Institute for Development Studies (UK), the Human Sciences Research Council (SA) and the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (SA) are pleased to announce the launch of the national online survey to understand the socio-economic, wellbeing and human rights-related experiences of people with disabilities in COVID-19 times in South Africa. This survey covers various impairments and disabling circumstances, looks at the specific challenges and experiences of people with disabilities during the pandemic and the lockdown and seeks their ideas about the future.
We are looking for around 4000 responses and encourage you to complete the survey. The survey is only for persons with disabilities, but family members, caregivers and friends can assist them. Parents are encouraged to help their children to complete the form. People who complete and submit the form will receive a voucher to cover the data costs.
Because of the known challenges experienced by some people with disabilities during the pandemic and lockdown, we must get a better idea of these experiences. Therefore, we want to hear your voice! Please distribute the link below amongst your family, friends and colleagues with disabilities, have a child with a disability, care for a person with a disability or work with people with disabilities. Encourage them to complete the survey, which will run from 1 July to 1 August 2021. Parents are encouraged to give their children consent and help them to complete the form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd70Wk7yWj-2G3awuahHWYcHs7QwZ4CAl9GI5yRP2eWP1LvXg/viewform
Once the survey is complete and the responses analysed, we will hold a series of interactive webinars to provide feedback and allow you to express your feelings, comments, and ideas about improving the circumstances of persons with disabilities in South Africa during the pandemic and beyond. We can all make a difference together.
For further information and updates, please contact Tim Hart at thart@hsrc.ac.za, Nthabiseng Molongoana at nthabiseng@ncpd.org.za and Mary Wickenden at m.wickenden@ids.ac.uk
