Nova Scotia Disability Rights are Human Rights
“It is essential to attend to the health and human rights of those incarcerated in provincial jails But it is unforgivable to, at the same time, ignore those who languish in disability institutions.” -Sheila Wildeman
The DRC endorses Amnesty International’s open statement concerning the greater risks faced by persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
The news we are hearing about prisons in the States and elsewhere in Canada is extraordinarily grim. In response, quite a few incarcerated persons are being released. In Nova Scotia residents of institutions are not so fortunate.
Vicky Levack, 29, a resident at Arborstone Enhanced Care nursing home in Halifax, says the province must do more to protect disabled people living in institutions from the threat of COVID-19.
The DRC is advocating for emergency planning and relief supports on behalf of people with disabilities in institutional settings, such as RRCs, ARCs, RCFs, and the East Coast Forensic Hospital, who are capable and wish to leave the institutions. In response to Covid 19, to reduce the risk of infection, persons with disabilities need to be provided with supports and services to move to community based settings on an urgent basis.
One of the many health protection measures taken by the Nova Scotia government has been the ban on visitors for people with disabilities residing in institutions and small options homes.
Hearings of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal have been adjourned indefinitely due to the Covid 19 pandemic, with the exception of those that are essential.
These are challenging days for everyone but particularly for vulnerable people and their families. As the corona virus spreads and more and more people practice social distancing, many will lose their community connections and will become even more isolated in their homes.
People with disabilities including many members of the Disability Rights Coalition are still waiting to hear from the Premier in response to the April 2019 letter regarding the human rights crisis.
