Table 2

Distressing factors and other main factors with negative impact on the lives of people with disabilities

Area of impactFactor
Social relationships and community participation

  • Social distancing.

  • Closure of places and community activities.

  • Interruption of the possibility to interact with significant caregivers.

Communication

  • Social distancing.

    • Use of face mask.

  • Lack of accessibility to information and communication technologies.

Adaptive skills

  • Environmental and social changes.

  • Drastic restriction or interruption of habitual activities.

  • Support restriction.

  • Restriction or discontinuation of rehabilitation and educational services.

Physical health

  • Restriction of healthcare services and exacerbation of accessibility issues.

  • Altered biorhythms, including sleep–wake rhythm (especially during full lockdown).

  • Reduction of sport and physical activity.

  • Increase or decrease of food intake.

Mental health

  • Environmental and social changes (especially in persons with a strong need of routine/sameness, such as those with autism).

  • Restriction of mental health services and exacerbation of accessibility issues.

  • Exposure to adjunctive prejudice and discrimination, including the belief on impossibility to comply with the pandemic or make one’s own decisions.

  • Altered biorhythms, including sleep–wake rhythm (especially during full lockdown).