Strengthening Support to Wheelchair Users & their Families during COVID-19
The devastating impact of COVID-19 has left a scar across India, in terms of personal, social and economic losses. While the pandemic threatens all members of society, persons with disabilities are disproportionately impacted due to attitudinal, environmental and institutional barriers that are reproduced in the COVID-19 response. Moreover, people with disabilities, particularly those from poor sections, continue to suffer severe hardship. Without access to food or money, many are faced with starvation. The aftermath of COVID-19 has also left many of the wheelchair users and their family members without jobs, with no hope of having the means of employment in near future as well. Six years old Divyashree, diagnosed with cerebral palsy has been receiving rehabilitation support through our partner organisation Margadarshi since 2019. Divyashree’s father, Gopal, a painter by profession and the sole earner of the family lost his job due to COVID-19. With the help of our donors, support