Table 1
Thematic framework.
| METHODOLOGICAL THEME | KEY ELEMENT FOR DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE RESPONSE TO COVID-19 |
|---|---|
| Ensure accessible public health information | Provision of all information in accessible formats, including sign language translation, Braille script, captioning, and easy read. Ensuring that information is up to date. |
| Implement protective measures against COVID-19 | Access to appropriate WASH facilities. Providing protective measures for those supporting people with disabilities. The distribution of personal protective equipment to persons with disabilities needs to be tailored to their impairment. |
| Ensure accessibility to services | Facilitating access to health services, especially essential services. Removal of financial barriers to care. Measures taken to ensure equitable access to healthcare, including measures addressing disability-based discrimination. |
| Ensure non-discrimination in the allocation of scarce medical resources | Mitigate the risk of discriminatory decisions in resource allocation that put people with disabilities at a high level of disadvantage. |
| Make mental health interventions inclusive of persons with disabilities | Mental health and psychosocial support need to be accessible and not discriminate against persons with disabilities. |
| Ensure the continuity of support services | Develop and implement service continuity plans, particularly for people with disabilities with high support needs, as well as measures to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 during the provision of services. |
| Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities | Adjustments to public health measures to accommodate the needs of disabled people, including flexibility in restrictions on movement in public spaces. |
| Consideration of the needs of persons with disabilities who face multiple exclusions | Measures taken to protect disabled people who are at increased risk of social exclusion and poverty, such as women, children, homeless people, and prisoners. |
| Protection of people living in residential settings | Measures taken to ensure people living in residential care are protected from infection. |
Table 2
Summary of included documents.
| DEPARTMENT | REGULATIONS AND DIRECTIONS | GUIDELINES, ADVISORIES, AND CIRCULARS | NOTICES AND WEBSITES | SPEECHES AND MEDIA RELEASES | ALL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health (DOH) | 9 | 30 | 1 | 15 | 55 |
| Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) | 18 | 7 | 25 | ||
| Transport (DOT) | 18 | 1 | 3 | 22 | |
| Social Development (DSD) | 8 | 3 | 6 | 16 | |
| Telecommunications & Postal (DTPS) | 6 | 2 | 8 | ||
| Employment and Labour (DEL) | 6 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Public Service and Administration (DPSA) | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Presidency | 3 | 3 | |||
| National Treasury (NT) | 1 | 1 | |||
| Water & Sanitation (DWS) | 1 | 1 | |||
| Totals | 67 | 33 | 3 | 37 | 141 |