Covid-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
Public information does not always take people with disabilities in mind. All too often, government entities do not distribute information in a way that can be easily accessed and understood. But even during this pandemic, people with disabilities struggled to get vital information. Where are the Covid-19 Resources for People with Disabilities?
Can people using assistive technology easily interpret distributions and other handouts? Is critical health information written in an easy to understand language? Can people with vision or mobility limitations effectively navigate the informational websites? Are news conferences and videos shown with ASL and closed captions?
So, RPCV Health Crusade rolled up our sleeves again and dug across cyberspace. It was not easy. We had to dig deep. We mainly focused on national resources to benefit the most people. But when we come across local or state level resources, we included them as well. Here is what we have collected. As usual, this is an effort from a group of volunteer RPCVs. You should always confirm any and all information before relying on it.
If you need direct help, contact the trained staff at the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL). They can be reached by email or by phone at 888-677-1199 on Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern).
Covid-19 At-Home Tests for the Blind and Low Vision
The Biden-Harris Administration expanded efforts for audible Covid-19 home tests to work with a Blue-tooth enabled smartphone and app. The free phone app provides audible instructions and test results. However, you must download the app from the Apple or Google stores and not directly from a government source so there could be privacy concerns. As usual, do the research before downloading anything onto your devices.
Supplies are limited so please only request the accessible Covid-19 tests if you are not able to use the standard tests.
Order the audible Covid-19 tests online or by calling 1-800-232-0233.
National Covid-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
- U.S.Department of Health and Human Services-Administration for Community Living’s Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) helps people with disabilities get vaccinations and access to covid-19 tests by phone/voice, email, VRS, or ASL.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s covid information video series in ASL and captions
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s covid information designed for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers
- National Association of the Deaf offers guidelines to healthcare providers for telehealth accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients
- National Association of the Deaf has a guide to prepare for medical visit and what to do if the medical staff refuses to respect your wishes or needs
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers some potential best practices on information sharing and public communications for people with disabilities
- Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice collaboratively released this guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
State or Local Covid-19 Resources for People with Disabilities
- Communication Service for the Deaf lookup service for deaf-related resources by state
- California Department of Aging Covid-19 resources in ASL
- Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition video playlist of covid-19 resources produced through the CDC and other organizations
- Florida Department of Health Covid-19 Disability Resources
- Georgia Department of Public Health Covid-19 Resources for people with disabilities
- Illinois Department of Public Health’s Vaccination Guidance for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind persons to the local health departments, vaccine providers, and community partners
- State of Missouri Disability Portal Covid-19 resources
- New Jersey (Gloucester County) Covid-19 communication card for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (English)
- New Jersey (Gloucester County) Covid-19 communication card for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Spanish)
- New Mexico Covid-19 Disability, Access and Functional Needs Coalition Covid-19 ASL interpreted/captioned videos
- New York Health resources for supporting individuals who identify as Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ covid information video series in ASL with captions
- State of Oregon’s frequently asked questions and news about covid in ASL
- Texas Covid-19 coronavirus resources & guidance for people with disabilities
- State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers covid information videos in ASL
Where are All the Other Resources?
We know there must be more resources. At least we hope there are. Can you help us find more Covid-19 resources for people with disabilities? There is a direct correlation between health and disabilities. Can RPCVs become leaders in bridging this significant gap?
Share your links to national or local covid-19 resources for people with disabilities.