COVID-19 and the Rights of Disabled People: Open statement from Disabled People’s Organisations and Allies

Today Learning Disability England has joined with 22 other organisations to send a Joint Statement to Matt Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care) Nadhim Zahawi (Under Secretary of State for Vaccine Rollout) and Simon Stevens (NHS CEO).

The Statement asks the Government and the NHS to recognise the enormous impact of coronavirus on the lives of Disabled People.

It also asks that urgent action is taken so that:

The letter to 1.7 million new shielders and 2.2 million existing shielders is sent in plain English and accessible formats and that sources of information and support are provided both digitally and non-digitally

Everyone who has a learning disability or who is autistic or has a cognitive impairment is included in priority group 6, to ensure early vaccination.

Disabled People of working age living in residential accommodation or hospitals are included in priority group 6, to ensure early vaccination.


Disabled People know that they can contact their doctor for advice on whether they should be included in priority vaccination group 6.

Everyone with a learning disability or who is autistic or has a cognitive impairment has their health records checked, to ensure that any wrongful Do Not Attempt Resuscitation Notices are removed.

UPDATE APRIL 2021

On 6th April 2021, Helen Whately MP, the Minister for Social Care replied to the Open Letter.

You can read her reply here

Please contact us at info@ldengland.org.uk if you would like to share your thoughts or experiences with us.