September 21st was National Day of Persons with Disabilities. In this context of a pandemic, it is crucial to dedicate attention to disabilities of all kinds - physical, mental, intellectual, or sensorial - in the fight against Covid-19, as highlighted by Renata Dalavia, of the Health Articles Department of the National Institute for Quality Control in Health (INCQS/Fiocruz), and Filipe Quirino, of the Biological Products Department.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore determined that all information on this subject be accessible in the qualified sign language in TV contents, for the deaf or hard of hearing; that all phone operators provide text services for the deaf or hard of hearing; and that official sites all offer accessibility tools for people with learning or hearing disabilities, or disabilities of any other kind.

In addition, other adaptations are being researched and made feasible, such as 3D face masks for people with hearing disabilities and segmented information, taking into account the specific needs of people with disabilities. “This must be a non-stop work, in all fields, to fight the pandemic and to chance this reality without leaving anyone behind, with empathy and respect for the difficulties of each individual. We need to provide accessibility to the physical, social, health, education and communication means, to allow people with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedom with safety”, say Renata and Filipe.

3D face masks

Researchers have developed inclusive PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), such as 3D face masks, made entirely or partially in transparent material, leaving the mouth visible to allow for lip reading and facial expressions, important factors for the communication of people with some degree of hearing disabilities.

“Masks are crucial, because they work as a physical barrier, especially against the release of potentially contaminated droplets and thefore providing protection in everyday life. However, full masks make lip reading impossible, which is why 3D masks are important”, say Renata and Filipe. They emphasize that the manufacturing and use of these masks must follow the standards determined by the Ministry of Health (MS).