The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights globally. However, little is known about the experiences of people with disabilities accessing SRH services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this community-engaged qualitative study, we examined COVID-related impacts on access to SRH services for people with disabilities. We interviewed 61 women and transgender people in Canada from May 2022 to March 2023. Informed by disability reproductive justice, we identified four major themes through constructivist analysis. First, COVID-related changes to SRH service delivery disrupted access to care and caused disability-related health implications. Second, pandemic response measures changed SRH service accessibility: in-person accessibility barriers were amplified, new in-person accessibility barriers were introduced, and the transition to telehealth amplified, as well as mitigated, accessibility barriers. Third, COVID-related social changes (e.g., lockdowns) had disability-related SRH and rights implications. Fourth, disabled people recommended improving SRH services by enhancing funding, provider training, information and communication, disability accommodations, representation, and comprehensive community engagement. Cutting across these themes were disproportionate negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to SRH services for racialized women and transgender people with disabilities. Failure to ensure SRH and rights for women and transgender people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic undermined disability reproductive justice. Comprehensive disability community engagement is necessary to inform accessible SRH services and policies, both during and beyond a pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; accessibility; disability; equity; intersectionality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. However, there is little information on how it has affected the sexual and reproductive health of people with disabilities. We worked with disability communities in Canada to understand COVID-19 impacts on sexual and reproductive health for 61 women and transgender people with disabilities. These participants discussed four main topics: (1) The pandemic changed access to sexual and reproductive health services. This harmed mental and physical health. (2) The pandemic changed the accessibility of services. This caused new barriers to these services, such as not allowing support persons to attend appointments. (3) The pandemic caused social changes that harmed sexual and reproductive health. (4) Participants suggested solutions like more government funding, better provider education, and involving disability communities in decision-making. Policymakers and health providers need to work with disability communities to create accessible health services during and after pandemics.