What happens post‐lockdown for people with disability? Autonomy, quality of life, service access and health changes for people with spinal cord injury in Victoria, Australia after COVID‐19 social distancing restrictions

Social distancing restrictions are undoubtedly important for controlling the spread of COVID‐19 however, they are also adversely impacting population health and health service access. It is important that priority populations with a disability which may already have adverse health, access to health services, and autonomy and participation compared to those without disability, are able to receive preventative health and social care during periods of restriction. The impact of social distancing restrictions on people with disability is not uniform nor well‐understood. Research has been cross‐sectional and considered data gathered during social distancing restrictions, or longitudinal, considering data gathered during a pre‐pandemic baseline. This longitudinal study investigated the impact of lifting social distancing restrictions on priority domains for people with disability including autonomy and participation, access to health services, health issues and quality of life. People with spinal cord injury in Victoria, Australia (n = 71) completed a survey towards the end of social‐distancing restrictions (T1) and 6‐months post social distancing restrictions (T2). Non‐parametric tests for significant differences confirmed that 6‐months post‐lifting social distancing restrictions participants experienced a significant increase in health conditions, a significant decrease in the number of inaccessible health services, and a significantly lower level of limitations across participation and autonomy, outdoor autonomy and work and education domains. QOL improved 6‐months post lifting restrictions, however not to a significant level. The adverse health experienced by people with spinal cord injury after lifting restrictions may in part result from limited health service access and reduced participation during the time of restrictions. Clear definitions of what constitutes as essential care may ensure that eligible and required care remains received during lockdown or instances when service provision is compromised. Health and social care providers should be equipped with the knowledge of priority populations so that their support can be targeted to those most in need.