Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 to Persons with Disabilities in South Africa: Is the Response to COVID-19 a Remedy for Reducing Existing Inequalities at All?

ABSTRACT: Various studies show that COVID-19 is widening existing disparities. Given the pre-existing disparities experienced by South African persons with disabilities, the pandemic may disproportionately impact persons with disabilities and deepen inequalities. Thus, we answer the key research question: what are the experiences and perceived challenges of persons with disabilities and their organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa? Based on telephone interviews conducted in South Africa, this paper highlights firstly how ableism is manifested in our response to crisis and secondly how embodied experiences of disabilities and inequalities reveal asymmetrical power relationships. We tease out how COVID-19 differently affected persons with disabilities and strongly link the findings with inequalities and systemic exclusion. Despite disability legislation and frameworks available in South Africa as well as the strong emphasis on disability rights as promulgated in various constitution sections, the responses to the pandemic still lacked a disability focus. Based on the evidence, we conclude by highlighting recommendations for government aimed at potentially reducing the inequalities.