As a minority within a minority, individuals who have a disability and identify as LGBT are at the intersection of multiple stigmatised identities. This brings with it unique challenges, including the possibility of oppression and rejection by both the LGBT and disability communities, which can impact on identity and wider life experiences. While previous reviews have explored issues relating to intersectionality, multiple oppression, identity, acceptance, and sexuality, an overview of the impact on wider life experiences is missing. This narrative review presents empirical findings published since 2000 about the wider everyday experiences relating to attitudes and discrimination, education, employment, finances, health and well-being, support, and intimate relationships among people who identify as LGBT and have a disability.

There has been growing recognition of the impact of COVID-19 and the restrictions implemented to contain the virus on mental health. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the longitudinal impact on state anxiety in individuals with disabilities and a subsample of individuals with visual impairment (VI). Two surveys were conducted in April–May 2020 (T1) and March 2021 (T2) to explore state anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). Participants who consented to being re-contacted were invited to take part in T2. A total of 160 participants completed T1 and T2. There were no significant group differences in median anxiety at T1; however, at T2 anxiety was significantly higher in those with disabilities and there was a trend towards being higher in participants with VI compared to those with no disabilities. While not statistically significant within any of the three subgroups, state anxiety decreased slightly in those with no disabilities. The absence of a disability affecting mobility, experiencing loneliness, and poorer sleep quality predicted state anxiety at both timepoints. While anxiety appeared to decrease in individuals with no disabilities, it remained comparatively stable, and higher in those with disabilities. Loneliness and poor sleep may need to be addressed to alleviate feelings of anxiety.

Visual impairment (V.I.) has been associated with a negative impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and navigation outside the home. Adults from minority ethnic communities are projected to make up an increasing proportion of the V.I. population in the UK, yet the evidence relating to their experiences of living with V.I. is limited. This article uses data collected by the V.I. Lives Survey, between December 2019 and November 2020. Using secondary analysis of anonymised survey data, this article explores self-reported functioning relating to ADL, navigation outside of the home, and use of technology to access information in a matched control sample of adults from minority ethnic (MEC) and white communities (WC). The findings showed that most issues relating to self-efficacy, accessibility of public environments, and technology were significantly more important to MEC than WC participants. A significantly higher proportion of MEC participants required frequent help with cooking, received support for ADL from siblings and other family members, and had their shopping delivered. WC participants were significantly more likely to receive help with shopping from their spouse/partner and use public transport as much as they liked. Future research will need to confirm these findings in a larger sample and explore the reasons for them.

Objectives: This survey aimed to assess the status of a range of health-related behaviours 1 year after the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic in adults living with disabilities comparative with those with no disabilities. Design: This cross-sectional study reports findings from an online survey conducted in March 2021. Mann-Whitney U and Χ ² tests were used to compare a range of health behaviours including time spent self-isolating, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency and diet in adults with and without disabilities. Setting: A convenience sample of UK adults was recruited through the researchers’ personal and professional networks including UK-based sight loss sector charities, social media platforms and professional forums. Participants: A total of 123 UK participants completed the survey. Outcome measures: COVID-19 diagnosis, time spent self-isolating, alcohol consumption frequency, exercise frequency, change in smoking habit and eating habits. Results: No significant differences were found in alcohol consumption, smoking, water intake, breakfast, or fruit and vegetable intake. There were statistically significant differences in the time spent self-isolating (U=2061, p=0.001), exercise frequency (U=1171.5, p=0.005) and the amount of food eaten (χ2 (2)=9.60, p=0.008, Cramer’s V=0.281). Although the majority in both groups reported exercising three to four times per week and eating what they should, those with disabilities were more likely to eat less than they should, not exercise at all and to have been self-isolating for over 6 months than participants with no disabilities. Conclusions: The data in this study present some key differences between the two groups, with those living with disabilities being more likely to report that they had been self-isolating for prolonged periods of time, not exercising at all, and not eating as much as they should . This raises concerns for the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities.