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COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 and vaccination resources for people with disabilities, their families, service providers and the workforce that supports them.

This list of resources have been compiled to help people with disabilities, their families, service providers and the workforce that supports them have access to the latest information about COVID-19.

List updated June 9, 2021

Engagement opportunities for people with disabilities and their families Heading link

New Webinar: Supporting Teachers’ Use of Assistive Technology in Early Childhood:  Lessons Learned in a Post-Pandemic World, June 22, 2021 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST Register 

Education materials for people with developmental disabilities Heading link

AUCD, ASTHO and NACCHO
New COVID-19 Vaccination & Reaching People with Disabilities archived webinar series

New Jersey Department of Human Services
New Considerations for People with Disabilities at COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Job Accommodations Network
New FAQ: COVID-19 VACCINATION AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

NTG and HealthMatters Program
Bibliography-COVID-19 & Intellectual Disability

CIDI and CDC Foundation
COVID-19 Guidance and Resources for people with disabilities, adapted and accessible versions of CDC’s COVID-19 guidance

New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
COVOD-19 Vaccine Informational Video
Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine plain language handout

The Arc of CA
Free 24/7 Pandemic Telehealth Support Phone Line for People with Disabilities & their Caregivers

Self Advocacy and Beyond (SARTAC)
COVID-19 Vaccine Information in Plain Language

Doctors for America (DFA)
DFA COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ Toolkit to address vaccine hesitancy

University of Illinois-Chicago
 Lead On Project: COVID-19, a research brief on women with disabilities working in government during the pandemic.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center
COVID-19 Family Resources Infographic
Tele-intervention and distance learning for people with disabilities

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Getting Back to Work After COVID-19: Lingering Symptoms Present Challenges for Employers and the ADA

AT Lab Community Vision
Telehealth and You
Part 1:  What it Telehealth
Part 2:  Scheduling Telehealth
Part 3:  Preparing Telehealth
Part 4: Participating in Telehealth

The Arc
Plain Language COVID-19 Resources

Kaiser Family Foundation
State Actions to Sustain Medicaid Long-Term Services & Supports During COVID-19

ADA National Network
Accessibility at Drive-thru Medical Site

Advancing States
Technology Access During COVID-19: State Aging and Disabilities Initiatives brief
Benefits Access and Enrollment During COVID-19: Findings from State Aging and Disability Agencies Report
Providing and Receiving Respite Care Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines

American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD)
COVID-19 Support Guidelines for Individuals with IDD during the Pandemic

Family Voices
Part 1:  Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First
Parte 1: Ponte tu máscara de oxígeno primero (Spanish)
Part 2:  Telehealth Tips
Parte 2:  Telesalud (Spanish)
Part 3:  Parenting and Ideas for Kiddos
Parte 3:  Crianza e Ideas para los/as niños/as (Spanish)
Part 4:  Expressing, Coping, and Reframing

Green Mountain Self Advocates
Know Your Rights: Bringing a Supporter to a Hospital or a Doctor’s Office Booklet
Know Your Rights:  People with Disabilities Can Have a Supporter in the Hospital during COVID-19 Video

The HealthMatters Program COVID-19 Archived Webinars Recordings
Where’s the Outrage: COVID-19 Response Now and Moving Forward
Protecting Ourselves, Protecting Others Part 1: What to Wear at Work and Why
Protecting Ourselves, Protecting Others Part 2: Caring for Someone Infected with COVID-19 in their Home
Talking about COVID-19: Resources for People with IDD
Impact of COVID-19 on Organizations Serving Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Survival Coalition and The Arc Wisconsin: Determining What’s Needed Now and in the Future in Response to COVID-19
Preparing Your Employees for the Impact of COVID-19: Updates from Providers
Communicating COVID-19 Updates to People with IDD, Caregivers, and Stakeholders
Even During a Crisis, People with Disabilities have Rights
Hospitalized People with IDD Need their Caregivers: They Aren’t Visitors
Virtual HealthMatters Program Coach: Health Matters Now More than Ever
Shifting Services in Community-Based Organizations: Meeting the Needs of People with IDD
Employment Resilience: People with IDD are Critical Frontline Workers
Addressing Emotional Health Needs of People with IDD During a Pandemic: A Model Demonstration Project to Promote Engagement and Comfort During a Crisis
Exercise as a Human Right: Providing Inclusive Physical Fitness Opportunities to People with IDD During the Pandemic and Beyond

Inter Press Service
“COVID-19 has Further Marginalized Persons with Disabilities”

American Sociological Association, Footnotes publication
“Disability as an Axis of Inequality: A Pandemic Illustration (Disability in Society)”

American Public Health Association (APHA)
COVID-19 and Health Equity

IASSID Journal of Policy & Practice in Intellectual Disability
Guidance for the Treatment and Management of COVID‐19 Among People with Intellectual Disabilities 2020

AAIDD-Using Technology to Deliver Services and Supports in Homes, Neighborhoods, and Communities: Evidence and Promise archived webinar

Disability and Health Journal
COVID-19 and ID/DD: Case Fatality Trends

National Association of Disability Practitioners (NADP) ReportCOVID-19 Disabled Students in Higher Education: Student Concerns & Institutional Challenges

The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)
COVID-19:  Keeping People with Disabilities Safe
COVID-19:  Keeping People with Disabilities Safe, Part 2

nTIDE May 2020 Jobs Report: Job numbers up for Americans with disabilities as COVID restrictions ease
nTIDE April 2020 Jobs Report: COVID Recession hits workers with disabilities harder

COVID Patient Education Checklist for Clinicians

The Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition (DPOCC)
New Social Story on COVID-19 Vaccine Access and Hesitancy
Illinois Statewide COVID-19 Resource List for People with Disabilities in Marginalized Communities
Guía de Recursos COVID-19 para Personas Discapacitadas en Comunidades Marginadas de Illinois

Arc of Minnesota
75 Stay at Home Activities

Access to Respite Care and Help (ARCH) National Respite Network & Resource Center
COVID-19 Respite and Caregiving Resources
Online Respite Opportunities and Options

Families Together Inc.
Navigating COVID-19 When Your Child/Youth has a Disability (resources by disability type)

Autism Research Institute Autism & COVID-19 Webinar Recordings:
Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects – with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus outbreak
Emotional Support for Families during COVID-19
Support for Individuals with ASD: Coping with Family and Virtual Interactions During COVID-19
Coronavirus Impact: Talking to Kids About Changing Schedules, Altered Plans, and Disruption

American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD)
AAHD- COVID-19 & Disability: Precautions for People in Wheelchairs 60 second video 
AAHD-COVID-19 & Disability: Social Distancing 60 second video 
AAHD-COVID-19 & Disability: Who’s at Risk for Complications? 60 second video 

AAHD-COVID-19 & Disability: Keeping Wheelchairs Clean
AAHD-COVID-19 & Disability: Being a Self-Advocate
AAHD-COVID-19 & Disability: Know Your Legal Right

COVID-19 & Adults with Vision Disability: Health & Health Care Access Online Survey Summary Report
COVID-19 & Adults with Disabilities:  Health and Health Care Access On-line Survey Summary Report
COVID-19 & Adults with Mobility Disabilities: Health & Health Care Access Online Summary Report
COVID-19 & Adults Who Are Deaf & Hard of Hearing: Health & Health Care Access Online Survey Summary Report

Wheelchair and Assistive Technology User Precautions for COVID-19 

New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Tipsheet- Providing Access through Sign Language & Text for Low Vision & Tactile Communicators During the Coronavirus Pandemic 

National Alliance on Mental Illness
COVID-19 Resource & Information Guide 

National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome 
P&R sobre COVID-19 y el Síndrome de Down  

Special Olympics
School for Strength exercise videos

Alternative Day Programs during COVID-19 archived webinar 

Do You Know Your Rights with COVID-19 fact sheet

Tips for Working With Support Staff During COVID-19

Accessibility at Drive-Thru Medical Sites

COVID-19: Video-Based Telehealth Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients

COVID-19: Know Your Rights & Prepare Video

How To Talk About COVID-19 With People Who Have Autism

Visual Guide to Stay Safe

Hand Washing Techniques

COVID-19 Information by and for People with Disabilities(Plain language)
Información de COVID-19 por y para Personas con Discapacidades(Lenguaje sencillo)

How to Stay Healthy from COVID-19 (Plain language)
Cómo Mantenerse Saludable de COVID-19 (Lenguaje sencillo)

Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19
Guía de ayuda para padres y cuidadores para ayudar a las familias a enfrentar la enfermedad Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

How to Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Cómo Protegerse del Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

Working with Your Personal Attendant to Keep you Safe from Coronavirus

Dealing with COVID-19: Resources for special educators, therapists and families

Social story on Coronavirus

Tips for Protecting your Child’s IEP Services During COVID-19

How to order a face mask that allows lip reading ability

National guidance and resources Heading link

WhiteHouse.gov
The National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness from the Biden Administration

U.S. Government Accountability Office
Distance Learning: Challenges Providing Services to K-12 English Learners and Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 fast facts, highlights, & report

National Council on Disability
National Council on Disability recommends COVID-19 vaccine allocation equity for individuals with I/DD

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
COVID-19 Questions & Answers: Implementation of IDEA Part C Provision of Services

ADA Great Lakes
COVID-19 National Resources

National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS)
Challenges That Families of People with ID/DD Face During COVID-19
Technology for People with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Trusted COVID-19 vaccine resources for people with IDD website

State Councils on Developmental Disabilities COVID-19 Report: Council Activities, Initiatives, and Impact

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
Healthcare Planning Checklist
New Webpage Highlights Tools for Community-Based Organizations

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S

Center for Medicaid and CHP services (CMCS)
Medicaid.gov COVID 19 Resources Page

Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Disability Policy News

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19 Vaccination
New Pediatric Healthcare Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit
New What People with Disabilities and Care Providers Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
New Science Brief:  COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccinations
COVID-19 Vaccine materials in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean
COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit
What to Expect at your Appointment to Get Vaccinated for COVID-19
What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

Food and Food Resources during the COVID-19 Pandemic
What to do if your pet tests positive for the virus that causes COVID-19
How to Protect Yourself
What To Do if You Are Sick
Healthcare Supply of Personal Protective Equipment
CDC American sign language COVID-19 informational videos
Guidance for direct service providers
Guidance for group homes for individuals with disabilities
Guidance for direct service providers, caregivers, parents, and people with developmental and behavioral disorders
Guidance for people with developmental and behavioral disorders

Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
New Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL): How to access the COVID-19 vaccine and related supports for people with disabilities: 888-677-1199 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM CST
New ACL Policy Update: What ACL’s networks need to know about CMS’ new COVID-19 vaccine rule
COVID-19 Plain Language Guidance for Employees with Developmental Disabilities
Budget information including state and program allocations for CARES Act funding
What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know?

Center for Medicaid and CHP services (CMCS)
COVID-19 Long-term care facility guidance

The Autism Society
COVID-19 resources

Social Security Administration
Social Security & Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

U.S. Department of Education
COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
Questions and answers on providing services to children with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Discharge Planning & Care Coordination during the COVID-19 Pandemic (for PWDs)

Alliance for Aging Research
Common Questions and answers about COVID-19 for older adults with people with chronic health conditions

Mental Health America
Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources

National Center for Learning Disabilities: Support students with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis
A Parent’s Guide to Virtual Learning
An Educator’s Guide to Virtual Learning

American Heart Association
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG)
COVID-19 & Down Syndrome Q & A

The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
COVID-19 Toolkit for direct support professionals

Municipal guidance and resources Heading link

Cook County Department of Public Health
TEL: 708-633-4000

Chicago Coronavirus Response Center