Disabled people in Harrogate district still suffering with severe social isolation because of the pandemic
Over a third of people surveyed say they are struggling with anxiety
There are fears disabled people in Harrogate will be 'left behind' as coronavirus restrictions are eased.
It is as new figures from disability charity Sense found many disabled people said they are fearful to go out in public, with one in two (56 per cent) concerned about their health, and more than a third (39 per cent) anxious because they’re not able to comply with safety measures, such as social distancing and wearing a face covering.
Jackie Snape, Chief Executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, has been told by some service users they've been confronted in public for not being able to follow covid rules.
She said: "Where they actually are unable to use face coverings for whatever reason, sometimes they're not able to put them on by themselves, they are getting nasty looks, glares and sometimes comments which make them feel uncomfortable and they don't want to go out because they don't want that kind of reaction from people.
"We are getting people coming to us absolutely terrified to go back out and others are just fed up of everything that's going on and what to get out to whatever the 'new normal' is.
"A lot of people are still feeling chronic loneliness and are still feeling unable or scared to go out into the community. That could be fear for catching the virus but it's also partly due to people's reactions if they are unable to wear a mask or struggle to socially distance."
Isolation and loneliness have dramatically increased amongst disabled people over the last 12 months, with almost two thirds (61 per cent) now experiencing ‘chronic loneliness’.
More than half (56 per cent) of all disabled people said they were now fearful of going into public because of concerns about their health and not feeling safe. More than a third (39 per cent) said they were anxious because they’re not able to comply with safety measures, such as social distancing or wearing a mask.
Richard Kramer, Sense Chief Executive, said:
“The severe impact of the pandemic has meant that many disabled people are now fearful and anxious about going out into public, and unless we support and prioritise them, isolation and loneliness will become a bigger problem.
“We must recognise that cuts to services and reduced support have contributed to the isolation that people are experiencing, and reinstate community services, while ensuring mental health support is available for those that need it."