{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,3]],"date-time":"2026-06-03T13:19:22Z","timestamp":1780492762795,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":46,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1750118400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide reaching effects especially for people with disabilities. Drawing on Sen\u2019s Capability approach, we explored experiences of people with disabilities and older adults using semi-structured interviews that were conducted three to four months after the pandemic was declared. We recruited 71 adults from British Columbia, Canada: adults with spinal cord injuries (n\u2009=\u200922), adults who have experienced a stroke (n\u2009=\u200926), adults with general disabilities (n\u2009=\u200913), and older adults (over the age of 65) without reported disabilities (n\u2009=\u200910). Our analysis identified one overarching theme: \u201cnavigating the new normal: the societal reconfiguration of functionings and capabilities\u201d described the challenges and successes participants experienced during pandemic-related restrictions and regulations. This theme encapsulated three sub-themes: 1) \u201cTrying to stay connected: resuming functionings via alternative means,\u201d 2) \u201cWorrying about future capability opportunities,\u201d and 3) \u201cWanting to exert control in the face of constrained capabilities.\u201d The pandemic created unique challenges for people with disabilities. The capability approach appears to be a helpful lens to interpret pandemic restrictions among people with disabilities, which could inform future policy.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0325306","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,17]],"date-time":"2025-06-17T17:30:08Z","timestamp":1750181408000},"page":"e0325306","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Pandemic-related experiences of older adults and people with disabilities"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"20","author":[{"given":"W. 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