S&D MEPs yesterday backed a resolution calling on the Commission and member states to invest more in essential support services and to guarantee equal and non-discriminatory access for all to healthcare and social services. The resolution came following a number of petitions across Europe shedding light on the discrimination faced by persons with intellectual disabilities during the health pandemic.
Alex Agius Saliba, S&D spokesperson on petitions, said:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the unacceptable persistent discrimination faced by people with intellectual disabilities every day and has exposed serious flaws in member states’ care and support systems for a number of at-risk groups in society. Too many individuals and families were left isolated and without essential support by the closure of vital care provision and learning centres during the lockdown phase.
“The accounts the petitions committee has heard of everyday discrimination is not acceptable. These real concerns over the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the COVID-19 crisis deserve a response. We have called on the Commission to take action to mobilise essential funding to guarantee the continuity of care and support services. Governments also need to recognise that confinement measures have had a disproportionate impact on persons with intellectual disabilities and under no circumstances, least of all during a global health pandemic, should they be left behind.”
