The first day of the hearing canvassed several issues COVID-19 has raised for people with disability. Themes included access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), communication shortcomings, restrictive practices, lack of data and telehealth. Commissioners Sackville, Bennett and Galbally were in attendance.

Nicole Lee, an advocate with Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, spoke about women with disability experiencing violence. Surprisingly, she noted calls to her organisation were down during the pandemic. She speculated this was due to people being unable to leave their abuser to make the call.