Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • Members of Kerala NGO demand accessible & disabled friendly Covid care centers in the state

Members of Kerala NGO demand accessible & disabled friendly Covid care centers in the state

Person in a wheelchair
Accessibility October 3, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

The All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation (AKWRF) had sent petitions to concerned authorities requesting for disabled friendly Covid-19 care centers in the state. But nothing needful has been done till now. With rising number of cases in Kerala, people with disabilities are living in fear.

Though Kerala had managed to flatten the Covid-19 curve last May, the state is now one of the biggest Covid spreaders in India. Over 8000 cases have been reported for consecutive days which is indeed a cause for worry. Amongst those who undergo tough times now are people with disabilities. Members from the All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation (AKWRF), an organization that empowers wheelchair users, are demanding for disabled friendly Covid centers.

Need for disabled friendly Covid centers

Covid-19 is spreading at an alarming rate in Kerala. Restrictions being imposed by government are clearly not working. 32-year-old Sudhish* (name changed), a wheelchair user, had to go under quarantine after he came in contact with a Covid positive tested person. But since all Covid centers are inaccessible, Sudish decided to undergo home quarantine. Needless to say, this was a threat to his elderly parents and infant at home. But what other choice does he have?

What worries disability rights activists are the insensitivity of government officials towards their needs and concerns. AKWRF had sent requests to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Health Minister KK Shailaja and all district collectors from whom they have not received any positive response.

Rajeev Palluruthy, Secretary of AKWRF says that as always, people with disabilities are being sidelined during the pandemic as well. “Immunity levels of disabled people are very low. So it is risky for us to be put in Covid centers along with other infected people. I had mentioned about this in various platforms, but authorities have not paid any heed to our demands. What we need now are exclusive Covid centers for disabled. We already know of a few disabled people who have been infected in various parts of Kerala and the numbers are likely to rise in coming days”, he says.

Hassles of disabled people during pandemic

Accessible centers with wheelchair ramps and bathroom facilities are on the top priority list.

Balaram Swamy, a wheelchair user, is reportedly the first person to have died from Covid in Kerala. He was tested positive after being admitted to the hospital for other health issues. Wheelchair users across the state are now hoping that the government takes this into notice and do needful.

Sindhu Sudevan, Trivandrum district president, AKWRF says, “As far as we know, none of the Covid facilities are disabled friendly. That is why we demand exclusive centers in each district for disabled people who are tested positive for Covid-19 and also for those who come in contatc with infected people”.

The New Indian Express quoted Dr Mohammad Asheel, executive director of Kerala Social Security Mission(KSSM) having said, “Setting up separate Covid care centers in each district isn’t feasible in the current scenario. However, if the need arises, facilities will be provided through the help of various local self-government departments in the state”.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Kerala parent support group TogetherWeCan’s series ‘Speak Up’ addresses mental health
0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Multiple Sclerosis does not affect Anjali's love for Cooking

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Employment,Independent Living
    My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)
  • Get-hooked
    #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Logos of the 10 brands featured in the article

Accessibility

Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally

Tuhin Dey in a wheelchair with his mother

Accessibility

Prof Stephen Hawking is the inspiration for this budding astrophysicist with CP

Woman getting her eyes tested

Get-hooked

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

#TechThursdays – Kibo XS, world’s 1st intelligent personalised scanning & reading companion

Get-hooked

#BeingMom - Scientist, Teacher, Fighter - The many sides of Pushplata Sinha

Get-hooked

#DisabilityInfluencers - Aspiring doctor Chandni Nair loves the power of TikTok

Get-hooked

Cart With Heart aims to create self employment opportunities for people with disabilities across India

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.