Challenges facing Hong Kong’s intellectually disabled people in using public services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The needs of disabled people are often insufficiently recognized by mainstream society, causing this population to be excluded from society and activities of daily life. This problem is clearly reflected in the obstacles that intellectually disabled people have encountered in their use of public services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this qualitative study, we conducted focus group sessions with 17 social workers and 12 carers supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities in Hong Kong. Using a thematic analysis, we found that (a) the social-emotional needs of intellectually disabled people were intensified by the disruption of social services; (b) they received limited benefit from the use of video conferencing services; and (c) they encountered significant difficulties in complying with preventive measures. To achieve equity in public service, universal design should be emphasized during the planning stage, and the experiences of disabled people should be carefully considered from the outset.

Points of interest

• Intellectually disabled people in Hong Kong experienced more difficulties using public services during the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic.

• Apart from the social model of disability and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, critical disability theory can explain how society protects the rights of disabled persons pertaining to social participation.

• A sole emphasis on equality fails to facilitate effective planning of public services that address the needs of intellectually disabled people; the notion of equity must also be emphasized.

• The concept of universal design, which is often discussed in the context of the physical environment, can be meaningfully applied to the design of public services to alleviate problems of exclusion faced by disabled population.

• Policymakers and service providers must improve their awareness and knowledge of the distinct needs of intellectually disabled people.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• critical disability theory
• equity
• universal design
• public service

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Fu Hong Society and all the social workers and carers who participated in the focus group interviews.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors.