U.N. chief: Persons with disabilities should be part of #COVID_19 plans

Those with disabilities are among the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, and inequalities they already experience are being further exacerbated by the crisis.

Roughly 1 billion people worldwide who live with disabilities already have limited access to education, healthcare and income opportunities -- and are at heightened risk of violence, neglect and abuse, he said. Guterres issued a new report recommending an integrated approach aimed at ensuring persons with disabilities aren't forgotten amid response and recovery plans.
"We must guarantee the equal rights of people with disabilities to access healthcare and lifesaving procedures during the pandemic," he said in a video message.