WHAT IS A PHYSICAL DISABILITY?

INSIGHTS FROM THE UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

Even with the boost in work-from-home technology during the COVID pandemic, people with physical disabilities were pushed into jobs below their ability, less than full-time work or unemployment – at numbers far lower than people who do not have a disability.

This leads to poverty or barely enough income to pay for accessible housing, transportation, health care, personal care and food.

Adults with physical disabilities report experiencing frequent mental distress almost five times as often as adults without disabilities, as researched and reported by the CDC.

A CDC study found that about one-third of adults with physical disabilities experienced frequent mental distress, defined as 14 or more reported mentally unhealthy days in the past 30 days.

During the COVID pandemic, mental health issues rose in the disability community.

Isolation, a reduction in PCA availability, and having an underlying condition that made the impact of COVID more dangerous contributed to depression, anxiety, and other issues.

Prevalent causes of mental health distress among people with physical disabilities include poor access to health care, isolation from the community, and poverty. Peer support groups may help break down isolation.