Many new resources are being created each day to address needs during the coronavirus outbreak. We will update this list as we find new, helpful tools, especially those for people with disabilities and their families.
1. Getting Started: Learning about COVID-19 – for People with Disabilities
A plain language booklet about the Coronavirus from the Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) in English and Spanish. It was written by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It focuses on “need to know” information.
How to protect yourself and what to do if you are sick
Videos that explain the facts about the coronavirus in ASL
Complete list of COVID-19 resources for the Deaf Community, including a hotline and Communication Card for health workers
Another great resource from our SARTAC partners. This guide helps people with developmental disabilities learn how to deal with changes in how they are getting services during the COVID outbreak. Addresses boundaries, safety, and what to do if they feel uncomfortable with new staff or their living situation. Written by and for people with disabilities.
Two minute video to help educate and keep people healthy
A guide created to help family, friends, and care providers of people with developmental disabilities as they navigate conversations about COVID-19.
A guide created with Ivanova Smith, a self-advocate and civil rights leader in Washington State with accompanying YouTube video and written transcript
A guide created by self-advocates in Wisconsin to provide information about staying connected to others while social distancing
COVID-19 resources that are deaf friendly.
General Coronavirus information
Free Hotline Brings Deaf Community Information on COVID-19 in American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
List of websites with COVID-19 information for people with disabilities, older adults, and others with functional or access needs.
Includes key links to resources that will be valuable to families, individuals with disabilities and stakeholders. Updates to the website are made periodically, so be sure to bookmark the site.
2. Access to Resources and Supports for People with Disabilities
A map that helps find food options nearby. Connects people who need food with different types of food pantries, farms, and farmers markets
A resource related to the CARES Act
Press release from the Department of Treasury
List of internet providers that may be offering free internet service, waiving disconnect and late fees, or providing access to WI-FI hot spots to help people at home during COVID-19
Info about loans of tools to help people with disabilities and their families during the outbreak
St. Louis volunteer effort to help provide grocery delivery services to people in the St. Louis area needing assistance during this time
St. Louis area supports, such as grocery delivery
3. Safety and Civil Rights
- Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Issues Bulletin on Civil Rights Laws and HIPAA Flexibilities That Apply During the COVID-19 Emergency – information about civil rights laws that protect people with disabilities from being denied medical care.
- Missouri Protection and Advocacy (MO P&A)
Report any neglect or abuse of people with disabilities, including by hospital rationing. Call the Application Unit at 573-659-0678 / 800-392-8667 or by emailing at app.unit@mo-pa.org.
Created by the Center for Public Representation that gives guiding principles for avoiding disability discrimination
This site has a number of links that provide communication tools that medical providers and others, can use with individuals with disabilities and others.
As people around the world are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of people with disabilities should not be overlooked or go unaddressed as members of those communities. To assess the impact of COVID on people with disabilities and their needs, it’s important to understand the prevalence of disability by the functional limitations of people living with disabilities experience in their communities.
Supporting People with Unique Access or Functional Needs (including people with disabilities).
Report price gouging to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office through the website or 1-800-392-8222
This link provides signs for people to look for regarding child abuse. Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738 or 1-844-CAN-TELL
Information on how to recognize and stop victimization of people with disabilities
Report online all day, every day or call 1-800-392-0210 between 7 am – 12 am
This webinar is scheduled for April 23, 2020 at 1:30 CST. For health care providers to understand how the decisions they need to make for dealing with this crisis connect with the ADA. In this webinar, several ADA National Network staff from across the country will review general health care provisions in the ADA and how they apply to new issues such as temporary medical facilities, drive-thru testing sites, and other current health care issues
This is a link to a document that describes how community leaders can best use CERT volunteers to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19)