People with disabilities 'left out' of Ontario's pandemic response

Advocates and people with disabilities say they have been left behind in Ontario's COVID-19 pandemic response, particular its testing and vaccination efforts.

As Omicron continues to sweepthrough the province, with asoaring number of hospitalizations, local health units and Ontario'sMinistry of Health have calledfor people to get booster shots as quickly as possible. In December, the provincealso launched a campaign to hand out free COVID-19 rapid testsin order to curb the growing wave of infections.

Centres sawlong linesof people eagerly waiting outside in the middle of winter to get their hands on a rapid test or a booster shot, whichpeople with certain disabilities can't safely do, says advocate Catherine Gardner, who also uses a wheelchair.

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"If you're using a mobility device, a cane,walker, you just can't stand in line that long," Gardner said, adding there are usually noplaces for people to sit outside of these sites.

Gardnerhas gone to get rapid tests on several occasions where she has either had to wait for long periods of time outside in the cold, or forced to travel a fair distance from where accessible transit dropped her off.

Booking rides requires advance notice

Similar barriers haveleft people like John Redinstired and discouraged.

"It's been like a roller coaster to watch [that] you have limited access to these things and to these type of events,"said Redins.

In a statement, the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility pointed to its Accessible Drives to Vaccines programthat launched last summer andhelps people with mobility issues get to their vaccine appointments. Ottawa Public Health hassimilar accommodations available for people in need of transportation.

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However, many pop-up vaccine clinics or rapid test giveaways are hosted on short notice, sometimes on the same day they're announced. Booking a ride through the provincialprogram and the city's website requires at least 48 hours notice.

"It frustrates me because I feel like I'm being left out," said Redins, who continues to recover from COVID-19and laments his inability to get tested and vaccinated as soon as he would have liked.

Current response is 'one size fits all'

There are 2.9 million Ontarians with disabilities, accordingDavid Lepofsky,a law professor and chair of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance.

He said that segment of the population has facedbarriers throughout the entire pandemic, when they should in fact be made a priority.

"People with disabilities are disproportionately prone to get COVID. They're disproportionately prone to get its worst consequences," Lepofsky said.

From long lines, to outdoor locations, to physical distancing signs that can't be seen bythose who are visually impaired, hesaid there is rarelyadequate accommodation for people with disabilities.

"The Ford government too often has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to its emergency planning, assuming that people have no disabilities," he said.

Lepofsky said the alliance wants to see the government ramp up emergency plans to ensure vulnerable people with disabilities are assured access to testingand safe access tovaccines. Gardner said having these sites indoors would go a long way for that population, too.