Children with disabilities are severely affected by the lockdown. 72 percent of them are lonelier than ever, according to research by the Dutch Foundation for the Handicapped Child among 161 families of which at least one child has a disability.
The corona problem not only leads to social isolation and an increase in physical and mental complaints among the children: 75 percent of the parents / carers also do not feel sufficiently supported by authorities to get through this time.
Children with disabilities often already live in social isolation, but the lockdown has made this isolation even greater. For example, the study shows that children with a disability who do have friends in the area meet up much less during corona time. Also, 47 percent of the children have no friends in the neighborhood at all, because they cannot go to school in the neighborhood and therefore do not meet other children.
Where other children now meet in outdoor play areas, this is not possible for children with disabilities, because play areas in their neighborhood are not accessible to them. For example, they cannot pass the entrance gate, the paths are not accessible to them and many playground equipment is unsuitable for them.
Exercising is also difficult
Within the current corona measures, children are allowed to exercise outside. This is usually also not an option for children with a disability, because they often need extra guidance from adults. The presence of adults at sports clubs is now kept to a minimum.
Of the children with a disability who normally can exercise, 58 percent do this less now than before the corona crisis. 36 percent of the respondents cannot exercise anyway due to their disability and limited resources.
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