A human rights framing of the experiences of supporting people with intellectual disability in congregate care: Post-pandemic reflections

Background: This study explored human rights concerns of advocates and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic in residential support services in Victoria, Australia. Method: A desk-top review informed the content of individual interviews and focus groups with Victorian disability service providers and key advocacy focused agencies with roles in complaint, community visitor, guardianship, or advocacy. Results: Concerns identified by both stakeholder groups included restricted access to choice, control, and decision making, barriers to communication and self-determination, reduced safeguarding, and a lack of accessible health information. Enablers included increased face to face contact with consistent support staff, and opportunities for increased engagement with friends and family online. Reductions in behaviours of concern and associated restrictive interventions were reported. Conclusion: Prevention of human rights violations in the context of lockdowns due to disease outbreaks or other disasters can and should be a priority for public health policy in Australia and internationally.