Alexandre Cote, Center for Inclusive Policy, explained what social protection is, how social protection systems address vulnerabilities across the life-cycle and how they apply to people with disabilities. He also highlighted the disability-related costs faced by many families. He ended by presenting a new report developed by the International Labour Organization and the UNPRPD on responses to COVID-19 crisis before inviting the audience to share their knowledge and experiences.

Jeleel Auberon Odoom, Director of Inclusion Ghana, Board Member of Inclusion Africa and Inclusion International, presented the impact of COVID-19 in Africa. He started by presenting the African countries that have general social protection measures in response to COVID-19 then explored the measures that specifically target people with intellectual disabilities. He finished by presenting the main challenges related to the social protection interventions implemented by African governments.

Taide Buenfil Garza, General Director at CONFE, presented the social protection system in Mexico, highlighting the gaps between Federal programs and State measures. She outlined the available measures for people with disabilities and their families and shared the main challenges faced by them which have been amplified by the COVID-19 crisis.