The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health restrictions have had a disproportionate impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Not only do people with IDD have a greater risk of severe complications and death from the virus, as shown in large-scale studies, but they also face significant short- and long-term consequences of COVID-related public health measures on their mental health and well-being.
To provide evidence-informed perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 to people with IDD, several CHILD-BRIGHT members joined a Royal Society of Canada RSC Task Force on COVID-19 working group. This group, composed of academics and patient representatives, consulted with a cross-representation of stakeholders from across Canada such as youth with brain-based developmental disabilities, self-advocates, and caregivers, to put forward recommendations. These recommendations are intended to support policy makers with evidence to inform their decisions. The findings are consolidated in a report titled Time to be Counted: COVID-19 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, now available for download in English below, and in French.
CHILD-BRIGHT members involved in this task force included:
To gather the perspectives and recommendations of youth and young adults with lived experience with a brain-based developmental disability, the working group consulted CHILD-BRIGHT’s National Youth Advisory Panel members. Meet these members here:
“People with intellectual and developmental disorders have been further marginalized during the COVID-19 pandemic," said CHILD-BRIGHT members and co-chairs of the working group, Dr. Patrick McGrath and Dr. Annette Majnemer. "This report points toward a better, more inclusive Canada. It is time for Canada to rise up, in ways that count."