REFLECTIONS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SITUATIONS OF DEPENDENCY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: THE CASE OF APAE NETWORK

Abstract

This work analyzes the profile of people cared for by the APAE network who took part in the survey “People with Disabilities and COVID-19: Building Knowledge, Monitoring, Care and Prevention Networks” (UnB/Fenapaes/Finatec), seeking to relate the need for help from third parties concerning challenges posed by the pandemic. This is a quantitative-qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. Data collection was performed using an online questionnaire that could be filled in by the person with a disability, by a caregiver, or by both. In total, 4,055 people with disabilities cared for by the APAEs in 23 Brazilian states and the Federal District, between July 29, 2020, and February 28, 2021, filled out the survey. Results point to the public with high economic vulnerability, low education level, and a situation of dependency, where few people with disabilities answered the questionnaire independently and most of them need care help to perform daily tasks. The situation of dependency experienced by most people taking part in the research points to significant challenges. The inherent vulnerability of this public and the invisibility caused by historical, social, and political processes, with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the world, need to be faced with greater determination by the public authorities and organized civil society.