Socioeconomic wellbeing and human rights-related experiences of people with disabilities in Covid-19 times in South Africa. Findings from a Survey ...
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Socioeconomic wellbeing and human Findings from the
provisional data
rights-related experiences of people analysis.
with disabilities in Covid-19 times in
South Africa. Findings from a Survey Detailed analyses to be
shared over the next
13th October 2021 couple of months.
Programme
South Africa Time Presenter Topic
10.00 Dr Mary Wickenden Welcome
10.10 Dr Tim Hart Background and methodology
10.20 Dr Mercy Ngungu Demographics
10.25 Mr Tinashe Rubaba Economic circumstances – pre and during
pandemic
10.35 Ms Yamkela Majikijela Psychosocial experiences
10.45 Dr Tim Hart Service Challenges
10.55 Ms Nthabi Molongoana Accessibility to care services
11.05 Adv Gary Pienaar Perceptions of the state's handling of the
pandemic
11.15 Dr Yul Derek Davids Vaccine Demand
11.25 Dr Tim Hart Future Expectations
11.40 Dr Mary Wickenden Q&A from audience
12.00 Ms Therina Wentzel Thanks & Closure of Session 1
12.05 All 15-minute break
12.20 Dr Stephen Thompson Session 2 Interactive session
12:25 All Break away Groups
12:50 All Plenary presentations
1.00 Closure and Way forward Dr Stephen Thompson
Welcome Chair Mary Wickenden – Institute for Development Studies UK (IDS) SLI and real time captioning are available Slides will be available later and have been accessibility checked Please tell us if you have any access needs Write your questions and comments in the QnA box or chatbox – they will be addressed by the team in QnA at the end of the presentations
Purpose & Methodology Tim Hart – Chief Research Specialist (HSRC)
Background 1 • Between 12%-20% of the population over 5yrs have some form of disability • COVID-19 – What is impact of the pandemic and mitigation measures on persons with disabilities in South Africa? • Reports during initial 4 months – Overlooked generally by disaster relief – Ignored by pandemic directives
Background 2
• Seemingly overlooked by National Disaster
Management Framework
– Specific needs and circumstances being ignored
– Diversity not considered
– DMA regulations more concerned with reducing
infection (overlook mitigation of pandemic and
regulations)
• Few specific state interventions – onus on
others?
• No means of tracking & identifying those most in
needPurpose
• IDS, HSRC, NCPD partnership – Newton Agile
(UKRI gov Fund) response opportunity July
2020
• Focus:
– Socioeconomic and human rights experiences
– Voices, attitudes, needs and changing circumstances
– Only for persons with disabilities - parents, guardians
and carers able to assist (Survey Methodology • Online survey - COVID-19 regulations • 119 item instrument – Constructed with and by persons with disabilities • HSRC and IDS ethics approval • POPIA (2013) compliance • Survey link disseminated to networks, organisations and individuals – through state, private and civil society and personally known individuals
Outcomes
Survey
period 1857 valid 94.3% of
cases responden
(1 July to
31 Aug ts >18yrs
2021
96% 87% defined
completed themselves as
without a person with a
assistance disabilityGeographic spread of sample
Limpopo
6
Mpumalanga
North-West
64 3
2
Free State
KwaZulu-Natal
5 4
Northern Cape
4
Eastern Cape
4
Western Cape
7
Powered by Bing
© GeoNames, Microsoft, TomTomSurvey Considerations 1
• Findings relate only to sample and not
population
• Self definition of disability – numerous
– Some more independent than others so might
not consider al WGSQ challenging
• Voluntary versus stratified or random
• Access with and familiarity with ICTs
• Fatigue – 119 itemsSurvey Considerations 2
• Self administered online survey limitations
• Unsure of item understanding – although piloted
• Inability to explore
• Response inconsistencies
• Depth
• Snapshot - Biases at time of survey
– Recall limitations
– Current issues predominate or Early issues resolved
– Media messages
– Assisted responses might be inaccurate (4%)Demographics & Severity of disability
Mercy Ngungu Data Manager (HSRC)Person with disability
N=1875
13%
87%
Yes No
Self-identification permittedGender
N=1875
All of them considered themselves
Other
1% to be a person with a disability
36%
64%
95% of them considered 83% of them considered
themselves to be a person with themselves to be a person
a disability with a disabilityAge groups by gender
N=1875
Other 0% 82% 18% 0% 0%
3% 69% 26% 1% 0%
2% 52% 44% 1.9% 0.1%
.
1% 43% 55% 1% 0%
Under 18 Yrs. 18 - 34 Yrs. 35 – 64 Yrs. 65 + Yrs. Prefer not to sayRace
90
83%
80 N=1875
70
60
50
40
30
20
10%
10 5%
2%
0
Black African Coloured Indian or Asian WhiteEducation
45
40%
40 N=1875
35
30
25 22%
20
16%
15 12%
10
4% 5%
5
0
No formal Primary Some secondary Completed Higher education Vocational
schooling schooling schooling matric (degree or training (such as
diploma) learning a trade
or career related
technical trainingMarital Status
100
N=1875
90
80
70
61%
60
50
40
31%
30
20
10 4%
1% 2% 2%
0
Single (never Married Widow/Widower Divorced Separated Cohabiting
married)Disability - WGSQ
100 2 1 8 4
4 3 5 4
5
90 9 N=1875
80 25 25
28 31 27
70 30
60
50
40
67 71 71
30 64 65
54
20
10
0
Seeing/vision Hearing Mobility (walking Remembering or Self-care Commnucation
or climbing) concentration (unable)
No difficulty Some difficulty A lot of difficulty Cannot doHow disabling do you experience your disability
50.0
46%
45.0 N=1875
40.0
35.0
30%
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10% 9%
10.0
5.0 2% 3%
0.0
Very disabling Somewhat Uncertain Not really Definitely not Dont know
disabling disabling disablingEconomic circumstances – pre
and during pandemic
Tinashe Rubaba Projects Coordinator (NCPD)Where are persons with disabilities living?
OTHER 1%
HOUSE IN A RURAL AREA (INCLUDING FORMER HOMELAND OR RESERVE) 5%
STATE AND NON-STATE INSTITUTION SUCH AS A HOSPITAL, OLD AGE HOME,
HOMELESS SHELTER, PLACE OF STAFETY 0.4%
NON-STATE INSTITUTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 1%
STATE INSTITUTION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 0.5%
HOSTEL OR STUDENT RESIDENCE 1.2%
FLAT, APARTMENT OR TOWNHOUSE 7%
SUBURBAN HOUSE (INCLUDING A COTTAGE) 9%
IN AN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT WITHOUT A YARD 2%
IN AN INFORMAL SETTLEMENT WITH A YARD 9%
BACKYARD SHACK OR BACKYARD ROOM IN A TOWNSHIP 20%
TOWNSHIP OR RDP HOUSE 43%
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0Receive a social grant from the
Government?
70
64%
60
50
40
30
25%
20
10 8%
3%
0
Yes No Busy applying for a social Believe I am eligible for a
grant disability grant but
unsuccessful in getting oneWhich of the following social
grants do you receive?
Social relief of distress grant introduced in May 2020 33%
Disability grant 31%
Not applicable as I am not eligible for any social
grants
19%
State old age pension 10%
Child support grant 3%
I think I am eligible because of my disability and have
tried but the state wont give me a grant
2%
Care dependency grant 1%
Foster child grant 1%
0 10 20 30 40Monthly average income (n=1857)
35.0 33%
30.0
25.0
20.0
13% 13% 14%
15.0
10.0 9%
6% 5%
5.0 3% 3%
1%
0.0
Less than R Between Between Between Between Between Between More than Dont know Prefer not to
561 per R562 and R1,228 and R2,501 and R5,001 and R10,001 and R20,001 and R40,000 say
month R1,227 per R2,500 R5,000 R10,000 R20,000 R40,000
monthConcern about Personal Financial Situation
(N=1857)
Percent
100.0 93%
90.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0 5%
1% 1%
0.0
Concerned Not very concerned Not all concerned Dont knowConcern different than before Lockdown?
(N=1857)
Much more concerned
than before Covid-19
9% and the lockdown
13%
Less Concerned
78% About the same level
of concernBest describes what you were doing at
lockdown onset on 27 March 2020?
40
37%
35%
35
30
25
20
15
10 8% 9%
6%
5
2% 2%
0
Permanently Pensioner Looking after Student Permanently Unemployed Employed full-
unable to work household unable to work time / part-time
because of because of / self-employed
health disability and casualEmployment as a result of the pandemic
(N=1857)
Percent
DONT KNOW 4%
NONE OF THESE 32%
I HAVE NOT BEEN IN WORK AT ANY TIME SINCE THE START
OF THE PANDEMIC 29%
I WAS FORCED TO TAKE UNPAID LEAVE/HOLIDAY 6%
MY WORKING HOURS WERE REDUCED 5%
THE INCOME FROM MY JOB WAS REDUCED 11%
I WAS MADE REDUNDANT/LOST MY JOB 13%
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0Due to my financial situation, as a result of lockdown, I
have difficulties paying for my living expenses?
(N=1857)
6%
4%
Agree
14%
Neither agree nor
disagree
Disagree
76%
Dont knowFinancial situation in terms of covering disability
related expenses since Lockdown (N=1857)
4% 4%
44%
49%
Stayed the same as before lockdown Got worse Has got better Dont knowLikelihood of personal situation to economically/financially
get worse in the next few months due to the economic
consequences of coronavirus (N=1857)
60.0%
51%
50.0%
40.0%
39%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0% 10%
UNLIKELY
LIKELY
DON’ T KNOWPsychosocial experiences Yamkela Majikijela PhD Candidate (HSRC)
Emotional experiences under lockdown
(MR %)
Other 0
None of the above 4
Happy 23
Angry 30
Sad 41
Lonely 42
Frustrated or irritable 43
Bored 44
Scared 52
Depressed 54
Stressed 60
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Common thematic explanations for addressing
negative emotions (%)
Did you address the Mental health care 29
negative feelings
Other 21
31% Reading & entertainment 18
69% Connecting & communicating 16
Physical activity & relaxation
No 10
techniques
Yes
Prayer 5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35Likelihood of personal social situation
worsening (%)
60
49
50
40
40
30
20
11
10
0
Unlikely Likely Don’t knowExperiences with law enforcement
Have the police or army stopped to check
why you are outside of your home
10%
Yes
39%
No
51% Not applicable (as I dont
go out of the house)Direct harassment from law enforcement
(MR %)
80
70 69
70
59
60
50
40
30
18
20
10
2
0
No Yes, physically by Yes, non- Yes, another Prefer not to say
law enforcment physically by law person or group
enforcment not listed hereCommon thematic explanations for
support (%)
Have the police or army Compliance/enforce
48%
offered you any support regulations
Protection (safety,security) 19%
36%
General support 19%
64%
Access essentials 10%
Yes No Food parcel distribution 4%
0 10 20 30 40 50 60Worst and best thing about
lockdownCommon thematic explanation about
WORST single thing about the lockdown (%)
Economic conditions 43%
Restrictions 20%
Other 14%
Accessing medical care 12%
Nothing/NA/DKN 6%
Psychological impact 6%
0 10 20 30 40 50Common thematic explanation about
BEST single thing about the lockdown (%)
No (Nothing) 57
Family time/staying at home 19
Other 13
Learning new things/reading 7
Learning/working from home 4
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Service Challenges Tim Hart Chief Research Specialist (HSRC)
Introduction • Despite government attempts to control the spread of COVID-19 challenges are evident • Mitigation probably not initial key concern – social scientists included into advisory committee much later • Measures provided are not disability aware – Income negatively affected – At least 1/3 are unemployed
Events not normally
experienced (MR)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
You have gone to bed feeling hungry 39%
Someone else in your household has gone to bed hungry 39%
Ran out of money to buy food 40%
During the last 7 days you or somebody else in your
household went to bed hungry 29%
You have run out of soap or hand sanitizer 36%
You have had problems with electricity at home 42%
You have had problems getting water 34%
You have been unable to get public/private transport
when you needed it 31%
Have had another problem not listed here 28%
Had none of the above problems 12%Synthesis
• Running out of money a big challenge
– Food insecurity security has largely doubled for some at
times during the pandemic
– Concern that in July and August 2021 that 29% reported
that at least one person in the household went to bed
hungry during the last 7 days
– Lack of access to water, sanitizer or soap a concern
– Electricity a problem for cooking and sanitization but
also a concern for using assistive devices
– Despite interventions many are unfocused or insufficientAwareness of government
special forms of assistance
60.0
50.0
49%
40.0 38%
30.0
20.0
13%
10.0
0.0
Yes No Dont knowSpecial forms of Government
assistance (yes)
– Increase in social grants and SRD but a limited period
– Food parcel delivery - At the community centres and
shopping centres
– ICASA mandated that South African Sign Language
be available when COVID-19 information is televised.
– I was aware of special forms of special assistant
services – but these were interrupted
– They said everything in place there but nothing of sort
– I had [own] measures were in placeSpecial forms of Government
assistance (No/DK)
– in the beginning there were grants and food parcels
available but it didn't appear organised or efficient or
enough.
– The conditions we confronted with during lockdown
was really very bad
– The increment on Disability grant but later taken
away, why?
– Special measures put in place for people with
disabilities were conspicuous in their absence.
– No captions on TVAccessing needed services
Private facility or service provider 8%
Not accessing the services 11%
Family or friends 20%
Organisation for persons with disabilities or
25%
similar non-government organisation
State facility 37%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Receive all necessary disability
required support during pandemic
50
45%
45
42%
40
35
30
25
20
15 13%
10
5
0
Yes No Dont knowInterruption of disability related
services
19%
45%
35%
Yes No Not applicableConclusion • Expect some disruption during a national disaster • Little recognition of special needs • Service catch-up slow in terms of persons with disabilities is slow • Many reliant on non-state service providers • interventions unfocused or insufficient
Accessibility to care services
Nthabiseng Molongoana Research & Development
(NCPD)Accessibility to personal
caregivers and carer support
• General challenges exacerbated by
COVID-19
ü Persons with disabilities who are dependent on support for their
daily living may find themselves isolated and unable to survive
during lockdown measures;
ü Those living in institutions are particularly vulnerable;
ü Barriers for persons with disabilities in accessing health services
and information are intensified as they are not prioritised;
ü Discrimination and other barriers in accessing livelihood and income
support, participating in online education, and seeking protection
from violence.Requires a caregiver or somebody to
support in daily activities
N=1857
40%
60%
Yes NoInterruption of caregiver support due to
COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown
50.0
46%
45.0
N=1857
40.0
35.0
30.0 28%
26%
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Yes No Not applicableHow long was the interruption?
45 42%
40 N=1857
35
29%
30
25
20
15 13%
10 5% 6% 5%
5
0 k
th
e
ng
y
s
da
l
ee
th
ab
on
i
on
go
w
ic
A
m
on
m
A
pl
A
ap
e
d/
or
te
t
m
No
up
or
rr
te
o
Tw
in
ill
StPerceptions of the state's handling of
the pandemic
Gary Pienaar Senior Research Manager (HSRC)Access to Information
Do you have any challenges in accessing information? (% saying yes or no)
N=1857
40%
60%
Yes NoEase of access to information in the
context of your disability (%)
N=1857
8.0
73%
7.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0 18%
1.0 8%
1%
0.0
Easy In between Difficult Dont knowChallenges in accessing information (MR)
I don't have access to devices that enable me to see or… 1
I don't have access to devices that enable me to hear 24%
I cannot read 24%
I have difficulty understanding what I read 25%
I have difficulty understanding what is being said on… 26%
I don’t have access to online news 27%
Cannot hear the TV and Radio broadcasts 28%
Cannot see the SASL interpreter on TV 28%
The TV broadcasts don’t have captions (subtitles) 29%
I don’t have easy access to a radio 29%
I don’t have easy access to a TV 31%
I have difficulty reading printed media 37%
I don’t understand the language of communication 41%
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0Main sources of information about the Coronavirus
pandemic and the measures taken? (MR)
My Caregiver
29%
Other government agencies
30%
Disability support organisations and/or non-
31%
government organisations
Government health officials (such as Minister Zweli
38%
Mkhize on TV)
Media reports in general
42%
Medical professionals (doctors & nurses)
47%
Friends, family and colleagues
52%
President Ramaphosa’s Monthly National Addresses
62%
on TV
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0Main platforms to receive of information about the
Coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken? (MR)
Flyers, pamphlets and information sheets 30%
WhatsApp 41%
Word of mouth from someone I know 45%
News sites on the Internet, or newspapers 46%
Radio 46%
Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. 51%
Television 73%
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0Knowledge about COVID-19 (%)
7.0
N=1857
60%
6.0
5.0
4.0
29%
3.0
2.0
1.0
9%
1% 1%
0.0
A lot A fair amount A little Nothing at all Dont knowWould you say the following are doing a good job in accommodating
the needs and rights of persons with disabilities in their responses to
the Pandemic? (N=1857) %
100
12 12 13
90
80
27 30 29
70
60
10 10
50 10
40
30
51 49 48
20
10
0
General govt. Govt. health and social sector Non-gov.
Bad job Neither good nor bad job Good job Dont knowConsidering your disability, do you think the restrictions
imposed during Lockdown Levels (March 20 to June 21
were...? (N = 1857)
100
3 4 7 10 9
90
80 26 28 31 36 35
28
70
55 50
60
50 34
31 32
40
69 66
30 61
20 37 38
33 31 31
10
0
Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown Lockdown
level 5 level 4 level 3 level 2 level 1 level 3 level 1 level 4
adjusted adjusted adjusted
Harsh About right Soft Dont knowFace mask Challenges (%)
8.0
67% 69%
7.0
6.0
N=1857
5.0
4.0
30% 28%
3.0
2.0
1.0
3 3
0.0
Yes No Dont know
Have you had difficulty using a face mask?
Have you had difficulty communicating with other people who are wearing face masksThe government has taken the circumstances and needs of
persons with disabilities into account in its response (%)
Dont know 7%
N=1857
Strongly disagree 7%
Disagree 11%
Neither agree nor disagree 20%
Agree 17%
Strongly agree 37%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40Vaccine Demand Yul Derek Davids Research Director (HSRC)
Personally know anyone who currently has
coronavirus? (Multiple Response)
50
44%
45 42%
40 39%
36%
35
34%
30
25
20
19%
15
10
5
0
No, I do not know Yes, a close friend Yes, myself Yes, someone who Yes, a member of Yes, someone else
anyone stays in the same my extended I know
household as me family who does
not live with mePersonally know anyone who currently has
coronavirus? By poverty status (MR)
Yes, myself (N=651) Yes, member of my extended family
90
80% (N=759)
80 70
70 59%
60
60
50
50
40
40 27%
30
30
20
20 11% 10%
10 3% 2% 4% 10
1% 3%
0 0
e
or
e
ng
y
e
or
e
ng
y
lth
bl
bl
lth
bl
bl
Po
lo
Po
lo
rta
rta
rta
rta
ea
ea
ga
ga
fo
fo
W
fo
fo
W
in
in
om
m
om
m
tt
tt
co
co
ge
ge
c
c
ly
ry
ly
ry
st
st
b
Ve
b
Ve
Ju
na
Ju
na
o
o
as
as
Re
ReLikely to get infected with Coronavirus in the
next few months
45
40%
40
35
30
25
24%
20 18%
15
11%
10
5
4%
2%
0
Very unlikely Unlikely Likely Very likely I have already Dont know
been infectedLikely to be infected with Coronavirus in the next
few months by gender
80%
73%
71%
70% 67%
60%
50%
40%
33%
29%
30% 27%
20%
10%
0%
Male Female Other
Unlikely LikelyIf a Covid-19 vaccine became available to you,
would you take it (% saying; n= 1857)
90
80 78%
70
60
50
40
30
20
10 7% 5%
3% 4% 3%
0
Yes, I would I would probably I would probably No, I would I have already Dont know
definitely get the get the vaccine not get the definitely not get been vaccinated
vaccine vaccine the vaccine against Covid-19Future Expectations Tim Hart Chief Research Specialist (HSRC)
Introduction to future expectations
• What support should we anticipate?
• White Paper on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and the Implementation Matrix:
2015 – 2030 - Little done by DCOGTA
• Section 3.5 Protection during situations of risk
and disaster 100% completion 2015-2019 –
‘work in progress’
– No tracing, tracking or much support evident
beyond SASSA and DSD grantsWPRD: Protection during situations of risk and disaster 3.5.1 Review all government disaster management plans to ensure provisions for persons with disabilities in emergencies - ‘Still work in progress’ 3.5.2 Provide accessible disaster relief services. National and provincial disaster management centres must ensure that psychosocial support service personnel that have the capacity to assist persons with disabilities - Evidence suggests this not the case (60% stressed)
Protection during situations of
risk and disaster (2)
3.5.3 Provide accessible emergency
services.
Municipal emergency services must put in place
reasonable accommodation support systems and
trained emergency personnel to ensure equitable and
immediate access to these services for persons with
disabilities.
-Evidence suggest that this is not in place –
reliance on NGOs, Police and army challenges
in terms of disability responsivenessRMF Awareness and
consultation
Aware of the disaster framework for 60
Previous Consultation with respect to
persons with disabilities Framework
54
53 49
50
52 41
40
50
30
48
47 20
46
10
10
44
0
Yes No Dont know
42
Yes NoInterventions that should be
supported by Government (MR)
Increasing the value of the social grants to help poorer households 70
Creating a special grant that all South Africans would receive each
month to help them cope during the Coronavirus crisis 61
Food parcels should be given to everybody who needs food 52
The R350 social relief of distress grant (the Covid grant) should be 51
given to everybodywho has no other source of income
Ensuring that services for people with disabilities are not disrupted and
that their wellbeing is ensured and specific needs catered for 46
Government creating a special unit or task force to ensure that all the
rights of people with disabilities are protected during the pandemic
45
Providing free cellphone data to everybody 22
Allowing people to stop paying and be refunded school fees for the
time schools areclosed
21
0 20 40 60 80Government’s framework to monitor
Disasters (N= 1857) %
100%
6 7 4 2
90% 6 11
14
80% 16
70% 19
60%
50%
40% 83
71
30% 59
20%
10%
0%
You should be consulted or asked for Government values and implements Government should monitor the
your inputs your input when it comes to this circumstances of persons with
disaster framework and other policies disabilities during national disasters?
Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Dont knowConclusions 1 • Disaster and risk framework for persons with disabilities far from complete – no baseline when pandemic hit • Few disaster regulations focus on persons with disability – DSD and DBE • Various needed services interrupted • Making DRF disability inclusive is urgent now and for recovery • Little communication between departments and with DPOs – No sharing and compiling of datasets – no mapping or tracing
Conclusions 2 • As more than half (51%) reported getting services from OPDs these must be included in improving the framework. • Most respondents happy to be monitored during disasters if this is beneficial (83%). • Persons with disabilities must be consulted on the development of the framework (71%),yet only 41% acknowledge any previous input.
Loneliness, Stress, Depression and
Anxiety are going to be with us for a
Thank You while – intervention is necessary.
Disability inclusive disaster framework
is needed at all tiers.QnA session • Please write your questions or comments in the QnA box or the chatbox
Vote of Thanks
Yul Derek Davids
Research Director (HSRC)You can also read
