What will COVID-19 and all the experiences it has brought us force you to change when we finally emerge?

Plenty has changed for all of us during the past few months. As Eliza Ault-Connell AM said in her recent Invacare blog on living through COVID-19 “These indeed are challenging times for everyone on the planet. The simple things we took for granted before the rapid rise of COVID-19 like being able to pop to the shops or meet a friend for a coffee... and adjusting the way we live, work and play.”

We must now look to the future and at how we will emerge from this. How will we change the way we think, act and prepare our lives to ensure that we are ready for all of life's challenges? Not expecting, of course, another COVID-19 but think bushfire or earthquake. Even a major road closure or strike action by a provider of one of your services, the lessons learnt from COVID-19 can help to ensure we people with a disability are prepared. 

This could include ensuring you have equipment maintained. Don’t put off that maintenance. You never know when it won’t be a possibility to get completed. Your adaptive equipment is your independence. 

Do you have diversity in your service delivery in regards to your personal supports and your equipment? Would one worker not being able to reach you cause you harm? Do you have a limited relationship via only one equipment supplier? What if they are forced to close? Diversity of options is key. 

Do you have a good understanding of your NDIS (Aus) plan or Accessable (NZ) funding? To most people, I am sure it's always on their list to fully understand what is possible from your plan. Don’t wait for a rainy day. That rainy day is now. Information is power.

Are you aware of the mainstream services available in your area? They may not be the tailored service to your disability you are used to but if in a pinch do you know what is out there for meals, cleaning etc?       

Have you ensured you have multiple options for proper cleaning and personal protective equipment? We have seen during this time that mass buying does happen. Chances are your favourite place to buy is many other peoples favourite place too. Make sure you are aware of the options. That online shop that had a long delivery time and hard to navigate website that you discounted may still be your best bet if it means they have stock. 

And finally what technology could you be using that would make your life easier? This could be the time where you finally look into what smart home tech could be useful for you. It may not mean you don’t need a support worker at all but any independence you can gain is a good thing. Look at that Google Home, the smart blind, the electronic door lock. When it comes to us having to do things differently the smallest thing can make the largest difference. 

So there you go. Nothing groundbreaking. Just simple things to keep in mind to ensure we come out of this more prepared for life than we went in. There isn’t going to be much in the way of black and white, hard truths come out of this muddled up few months. But one thing is for sure, not asking questions and bettering ourselves is a sure-fire way to be left behind. 

 About the writer:

Geoff Trappett OAM is a former Paralympic Athlete. With a career that spanned 2 world championships, 2 paralympic games, a gold medal in Sydney 2000 and a world record. Following on from sport Geoff has transitioned to working professionally in multiple senior executive roles in the disability sector both within disability service providers and disabled person run advocacy organisations. Now leading his own social policy change organisation Inclusion Moves developing inclusion and diversity plans in the corporate world and speaking out on human rights and disability inclusion related issues.