Research Report: Social isolation and loneliness experiences among people with disabilities before and during COVID-19

Increased risk and fear of exposure to COVID-19 may impact social isolation and loneliness among vulnerable populations who are disproportionately at risk of COVID-19 complications, like people with disabilities. In a previous report, research findings showed people with disabilities experienced more than double the rates of social isolation and loneliness compared to those without disabilities before the COVID-19 pandemic. While recent data indicates rates of social isolation and loneliness have increased for the general population with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, less is known how rates of social isolation and loneliness have shifted for people with disabilities. Data in this report suggest people with disabilities experienced more social isolation but lower rates of loneliness pre-to post-COVID-19, that opportunities to engage online may protect against loneliness, and Centers for Independent Living have played a significant role in addressing social isolation of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic