For d/Deaf and Disabled people, independent living is about having choice and control over their everyday activities; it’s about being able to apply strategies to overcome the social barriers that stand in the way of doing everyday activities independently.

This report, part of a four-part series investigating how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of d/Deaf and Disabled people, investigates the substantial impacts that the pandemic has had on their abilities to independently live their day-to-day lives. In particular, it looks at the loss of confidence, loss of independent living skills, the loneliness and isolation and other impacts on health and wellbeing that have affected d/Deaf and Disabled people during the pandemic and subsequent national lockdowns.