Currently, the whole world is facing a threat from COVID-19, the coronavirus, however it is well known that there is an at-risk demographic.  Many people with disabilities will fall into this at-risk category depending on the nature of their disability. Many people with disabilities have illnesses which suppress their autoimmune system or cause respiratory issues, both of which are causes for concern in the case of COVID-19 infection.  Plus, those with physical disabilities often face discrimination and barriers which will make it harder to follow the general advice.

People with disabilities who need carers will find advice on self-isolation and social-distancing difficult to follow, leaving them at higher risk of catching the illness via continued contact with other people. Furthermore, those people with disabilities who are able to operate in a state of self-isolation will face more difficulties in obtaining essential items and food if they do not receive support. A lack of supplies in supermarkets will unfairly impact those with mobility issues as moving from place to place in search of items may not be possible and access to certain shops may also be a barrier. At risk people with disabilities may also be in self-isolation without support and afraid to leave their homes to buy essentials for fear of being in contact with the general public and contracting the disease.

An expert with WHO, speaking of COVID-19 specifically, has warned that issues already faced by people with disabilities could be “exacerbated in crisis situations”.  Discrimination in this crisis is a real fear, many people with disabilities are scared by potential health-care rationing. Advice so far on social-distancing and self-isolation has failed to recognise the problems these practices cause for people with disabilities.  On a day-to-day basis people with disabilities face discrimination and social exclusion is, unfortunately, a regular occurrence, however during this crisis being excluded and discriminated in emergency advice and government measures can have serious impacts on the rights and welfare of people with disabilities.

A quick check-in:

1. I’m in my apartment in Long Island City, camped out with my mom who was visiting from Canada. I have a small set of personal care aides that come every day for 12 hour shifts. They are all following protocols to make sure that we remain heathy during this time.

2. AXS Map has been affected by this disaster, but thankfully not critically as we’ve been on hold. For AXS Lab, we are continuing to follow our mission and heavily utilizing social media.

3. I’m feeling fine. I’ve been through some massive disasters in my day, like moving to NY during 9/11 when I worked as a disaster relief counselor and made a documentary film about post-9/11 backlash against people who are South Asian, Arab, and Muslim. When Hurricane Katrina happened, I went down there to make another documentary. My biggest personal disaster was being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which puts a perpetual spoke in the wheel of life for me.

During this unforeseen tragedy, I’ve had to reevaluate what we’re doing at AXS Lab and how to respond to the Coronavirus and how this affects the work we do. Along with everybody else that has a business, both for-profit and not-for-profit, we’ve had to reevaluate and see if there’s any way to adapt and change to new territory. I’ve come to see that our mission at AXS Lab to serve people with disabilities through media and technology is critically important during this time. I think about all the people with disabilities and their supporters that cannot be reached and need need support systems. The one thing we can do at AXS Lab is move towards a service and resource oriented organization and share what tips, news, and basics are available for people with disabilities of all kinds.

Reflecting back to being in New York City during the time of 9/11 and the lessons that I learned in that time, the most important thing is that people pull together and support each other during such a unique and tough time. The most simple things become something much more and the goal of AXS Lab will remain clear. Follow along as we use social media to provide content and resources to others with disabilities and their supporters.

Ramp It Up, Jase! Hi everyone, with the start of February soon approaching, I am reminded of the passing of times. These days I’m thinking as always about my son Jase and what he’s doing, the last time he was here, which was now in December of last year, we put together many of the drawings that he did over the past few visits. We almost did a complete 360 around my blue painting, if you look closely you can see it in the background; each of Jase’s wonderful works of art surrounding the painting I did when I was 18 years old.

In the foreground of this picture, you can see my son Jase and his good friend Rohan rocking the AXS Map Ramp It Up t-shirts. What better way to support his dad by rocking a Ramp It Up t-shirt for the world to see. 

Thank you!

Call to action; support the AXS Map Fundraiser and get your shirt today by donating $25 or more. You too can be as cool as my son and his friend! :)