Disability Advocates Push For More Testing And PPE For In-Home Medical Staff

As the fight against COVID-19 marches forward, one group is begging for more help.

Norman-based Progressive Independence serves disabled Oklahomans. The group said it has desperately tried to get masks and PPE for home healthcare workers as well as patients.

The group is led by Jeff Hughes, who said the community consists of vulnerable people who are often overlooked.

He doesn’t believe anyone is acting maliciously, but that it’s typical for them to not have a seat at the table during critical discussions.

Hughes wrote a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt’s office, asking for assurance that needs will be met but has not gotten many answers or a clear path forward.

“18 percent of the population have a disability,” Hughes said. “For folks with disabilities in the community, they do not have access to the necessary equipment to keep everyone safe.”

Aside from PPE, Hughes wants government agencies to know those with disabilities are also seeing a shortage of other supplies.

“I have had three or four calls for suppositories, and catheters and lubrication, and blue pads. All the things that are specialized medical equipment is drying up,” Hughes said.

House Representative Merleyn Bell is calling on agencies, including the Governor’s office, to find quick and sustainable solutions.

“If you could think about how difficult for you and your family to manage dealing with this new reality, people with disabilities have to manage a different reality every day,” Bell said.

Hughes said many in the disabled community do not have the same access to COVID-19 testing as the general public. Many don’t have the ability to get in a car and drive.

The fear is that they will suffer in silence.

“Now traditional transportation systems are also closing down and not serving people who maybe infected,” Hughes said. “That is going to dramatically impact those numbers.”

Advocates want action to deal with the pandemic now, but also so that if there is another emergency in the future—there is a protocol in place so this doesn’t happen again.

News 9 reached out to the Governor’s office Thursday afternoon and again Friday.

We have not received a statement or direct reply relating to this need.