Presenters: Chris Hatton (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) and Mary McCarron (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)
Video of the presentation:
Abstract:
This workshop session will present findings from two major studies tracking the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities through the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and in Ireland, followed by time for discussion.
Prof Hatton will present findings largely from Wave 3 of the Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities study. This study has interviewed approximately 500 adults with intellectual disabilities and surveyed a further 300 family carers and support workers of adults with intellectual disabilities who could not take part in an interview across the UK three times during the pandemic, most recently in July-August 2021.
The findings will focus on five key messages coming out of the project: 1) People have been doing their bit to keep themselves and others safe; 2) People are paying a price for this; 3) Support has not returned to pre-pandemic levels; 4) The lifting of restrictions generally can mean a more restricted life for some people; 5) The impact of COVID-19 is continuing.
Prof McCarron will present findings from the recently completed second wave of an IDS-TILDA COVID-19 survey. Data was collected among a representative sample of 682 individuals with intellectual disability in Ireland between June-September 2021, as a follow-up to the first wave one year previously.
Key findings will be presented on the impact of COVID-19 on health and service utilisation; responses to COVID-19 including vaccination and infection control behaviours; mental health and well-being; social connection and use of technology; positive aspects of the pandemic; and qualitative findings on the general impact of the pandemic and the things that people are most looking forward to post-pandemic.
To find out more about this research:
UK: Coronavirus and people with learning disabilities study
Wave 3 findings: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cedar/covid19-learningdisability/results/wave3results/
Ireland: IDS-TILDA
COVID-19 survey wave 2 protocol: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/4-95
COVID-19 Survey wave 1 findings: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/4-93/v1
IDS-TILDA publications: https://www.tcd.ie/tcaid/research/dissemination.php