Paper short abstract:

People with disabilities faced healthcare challenges due to shut down of services, inability to access healthcare online, inaccessibility, and reduced financial ability during COVID 19. Disability inclusive assistance, compliance with universal design, holds key to closing the gaps in health care.

Paper long abstract:

Accessing health care services was significantly difficult for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in Bangladesh. 'COVID 19 and disability', a qualitative study utilizing distant data collection mode was conducted by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to understand the various impacts of COVID-19 on people with disabilities. Among other areas, the study sheds light on health care access and its impact on people with disabilities during a pandemic. Based on the findings gathered through 60 IDIs and 21 KIIs, this paper reveals that the pandemic has had a significant impact on people with disabilities, who were unable to access and/or benefit from the much needed generalized and specialized health care as well as 'care support' during the pandemic due to reasons as simple as shut down of service centers, and for fear of exposure to COVID-19. The increased cost of living, reduced financial capabilities of households, inaccessible service points and transportation, lockdown, inability to access health care services online, and inadequate use/access to communication technologies by some, have posed immense health care challenges for people with disabilities seeking and or availing health care during the pandemic. Over two-thirds of the IDI participants had literally no scope to play the role of decision-maker about their health care needs. The paper recommends disability-inclusive consultation and planning to close the systemic gaps in health care for people with disabilities, to leave no one behind.