Cov_enable: Re-Imagining vulnerabilities in times of crises

Since March 2020, the Corona pandemic has led to severe restrictions in Austria and around the world. People who are considered particularly vulnerable need special protection. Vulnerability or being vulnerable means that someone is particularly susceptible to risks. Thus, without protective measures, certain groups in society would be particularly affected by the health effects of coronavirus. Often, the elderly or people with disabilities are classified as vulnerable. However, how and whether someone is vulnerable depends on a variety of factors. In addition to health aspects, other influences can increase or create vulnerability, e.g. isolation, disadvantage or discrimination. In and after crisis situations, it is therefore particularly important to closely monitor the impact of policy measures on those groups that are considered vulnerable. In doing so, it is important to hear the subjective perspectives of the individuals themselves. These perspectives have not yet been taken into account in the crisis. This also makes it difficult to draw conclusions about what reinforces social disadvantage, exclusion, and discrimination. In their research project, the educational scientist Oliver Koenig from the Bertha von Suttner Private University St. Pölten together with Michelle Proyer from the Center for Teacher Education at the University of Vienna take a look at the effects of the crisis on the educational, living and support situation of children, young people and adults with disabilities. The aim is to trace the past and future developments of the pandemic. To this end, two participatory survey phases are planned over the next three years (2021 - 2024), in schools and in various residential facilities and forms of housing for people with disabilities. One research phase is to be implemented while the crisis is still ongoing, and the second phase is to be implemented when the imminent crisis has ended. In both phases, children, young people and adults with disabilities themselves will have their voices heard. The research team will support them in documenting the changes in their living environment with the help of digital cameras and in reflecting when and how they feel particularly vulnerable. In addition, it is planned to interview teachers and professionals about how new rules and measures have affected their working conditions. The data collected will be both analyzed and used to develop a model for inclusive crisis management to monitor the consequences of the crisis. In collaboration with self-advocacy organizations as well as civil society, human rights and public administration organizations, the aftermath and future challenges of the crisis will be made visible and solutions will be sought.