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Armed with Accessibility
Responding to COVID-19
CDC and CIDI Launch Microsite
Making COVID-19 Messaging Available
Audience – General
· New York State – Protect Yourself and Your Family from Coronavirus (COVID-19)
o The New York State Department of Health has organized an overview of COVID-19 and best practices to protect yourself and your family.
Audience – Deaf/Hard of Hearing, ASL
· CDC COVID-19 American Sign Language (ASL) Videos
o The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided many videos to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing understand the COVID-19 pandemic. This playlist of videos on YouTube provides information on masks, how COVID-19 is spread, managing stress and anxiety, and more.
Audience – ID/D, Low Literacy
· Green Mountain Self-Advocates – Guide to COVID-19
o The Green Mountain Self-Advocates, a group of individuals with developmental disabilities and supporters, have created a toolkit to help you understand COVID-19 and other aspects of the pandemic that are important for those with developmental disabilities.
Audience – Blind/Vision Disabilities
American Council of the Blind (ACB) – ACB's COVID-19 Response
- o The American Council of the Blind (ACB) has closely monitored information that has been produced regarding COVID-19 and continues to update with new and relevant resources.
IrisVision – COVID-19 and Blindness: Tips for Staying Safe and Connected
- o IrisVision, a company specializing in low vision technology, has provided information about coronavirus, COVID-19, and how to stay safe and connected during the pandemic. These tips include social distancing and wayfinding with a white cane, home delivery services, receiving assistance online, and more.
USABA – COVID-19: Risks and Challenges for the Visually Impaired
- o The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) posted information and resources for those who are blind or have vision impairments on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is impacting daily life.
Audience – People with Disabilities, Caregivers, Family Members of People with Disabilities
· AAHD COVID Resource Complications
o The American Association on Health and Disability has created a video series and other resources to help the understanding of COVID-19 in relation to people with disabilities.
Audience – Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Vision Disabilities, Deaf/Blind
· Helen Keller National Center: COVID-19 Communication Guidelines
o There is no “one-size fits all” strategy for communication, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. With recommended social distancing, communication can be difficult for those who are Deaf-Blind or have a combination of hearing and vision loss. This resource provides options to help keep communication clear and safe.
AMPHL – Precautions for Sign Language Interpreters Working COVID-19 Response Assignments
o Tips and precautions from the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses (AMPHL) for sign language interpreters who are working any COVID-19 response assignments, particularly for those who may be assisting in a healthcare setting for the first time.
Audience – Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Teachers of Students with Disabilities, ASL
RMTC-D/HH – Virtual Education for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
o The organization Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-D/HH) as gathered resources and other information to assist in providing virtual instruction to students who are deaf or hard of hearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes – Online Learning: Benefits and Barriers
o The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes has created a guide to some of the benefits and barriers of virtual learning for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Texas School for the Deaf – COVID-19 Updates
o The Texas School for the Deaf continues to keep families and staff informed on any updates regarding COVID-19, including any positive cases and reminders of how to protect yourself and others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Audience – Teachers, K-12 Administrators
Minnesota Department of Health – Planning Guide for Schools
o This guide, updated on January 15, is designed to help navigate health considerations in schools. Different scenarios are presented to assist in making decisions regarding social distancing, face masks, protecting vulnerable populations, and more.
Audience – Blind/Vision Disabilities, Teachers of Students with Disabilities, Family Members of People with Disabilities
NFB – Distance Education Resources
o The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has compiled resources and activities to ensure students who are blind or visually impaired still receive quality education through virtual learning, along with their peers.
VISTAS Education Partners – National Homework Hotline for Blind/Visually Impaired Students
o VISTAS Education Partners have a homework hotline to assist K-12 and college students who are blind or visually impaired across the United States. Responders assist with multiple different softwares and devices to ensure success in the classroom or in a virtual education setting.
NFB – State Guidance for Schools
o Last revised in April 2020, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) has listed each state’s individual guidance for students with disabilities. Each state has a link to its Department of Education website for more information.
Colorado Department of Education – Visual Impairment, Including Blindness, COVID-19 Resources
o The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is providing evidence-based resources, practices, etc. to support students who are blind or visually impaired. These resources include accessibility apps and software, remote teaching supports, and more. CDE has also listed dedicated office hours on specific dates to help support students, families, and educators.
[HVA1]Added acronym for organization
Audience – General
o Depending on your everyday activities, there may an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. It is important to analyze the situation and weighing the risk.
· TODAY Show: The Dos and Don’ts of Face Masks
o Face masks are important to stop the spread of COVID-19. This news video gives tips on the best practices for wearing a mask, what materials it should be made of, and cleaning it.
· University of Michigan – How to Wear a Mask and Why
o To help stop the spread of COVID-19, individuals should wear a mask. Here’s how to properly wear a mask and why it is so important.
Audience – Blind/Vision Disabilities
o Many people don’t think about the impact a face mask can make on someone who is blind or visually impaired. However, a mask can have a negative effect on orientation and mobility due to the loss of facial vision. Here are five steps to help those who are blind or visually impaired wear a mask safely.
Audience – Deaf/Hard of Hearing
· ASHA Applauds CDC for Update Mask Recommendations
o The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) advocated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updated face mask recommendations to consider those with hearing and communication disorders. This communication has helped to improve the recommendations to include multiple groups of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
· How to Make an Accessible, Deaf-Friendly Mask
o Individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing have a difficult time with face masks because they cover the mouth, which can be vital to communication. Here are instructions to make a mask with a clear window to aid in lipreading.
· National Association of the Deaf – Communicating with Masks During Coronavirus (video)
o This video, delivered in American Sign Language, gives advice to those who are deaf and hard of hearing on how to communicate with masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
o Better Homes & Gardens magazine has gathered resources for four different options for face masks that can help communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing who may rely on reading lips.
o Typical masks worn during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to miscommunication, as a great deal of communication relies on facial expressions or lipreading. The ClearMaskTM helps to create a more accessible communication.
Audience – ID/D, Autism
· Autism Speaks – Comfort When Wearing a Mask (video)
o An informational video to help those with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory disorders understand the need for a face mask and how to become comfortable wearing one regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Audience – Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Autism
Autism Speaks – Parent and Family Resources
- o Autism Speaks has organized multiple resources for parents and family members of those who have Autism Spectrum Disorder. These resources are divided into multiple categories, including stress and mental health, education, behavioral, and more.
Audience – Mobility Disabilities, Caregivers
AAHD – COVID-19 & Disability: Keeping Wheelchairs Clean (video)
- o This short video gives a few tips on keeping a manual wheelchair clean while using it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Audience – People with Disabilities, Caregivers, Family Members of People with Disabilities
- o The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been able to reach a resolution to help protect the rights of people with disabilities regarding people of support within a hospital during COVID-19. This press release from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) goes into detail of the resolutions.
MSN – Connecticut settles disability complaint over hospital visitation (HHS OCR Ruling)
o This article describes the agreement met between the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the state of Connecticut regarding allow caregivers of those with disabilities to have other support accompany them inside hospitals and other medical facilities.
Audience – Caregivers, Family Members of People with Disabilities
o Children and other young people have specific needs in emergencies, but those with disabilities may require more. Families should ensure there is a plan in place for these unique needs.
CDC – Preparing Older Adults in Developing a Care Plan during COVID-19
o Developing a care plan for older adults is important. However, due to increased risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, a care plan can be very useful. There are benefits to a care plan even beyond COVID-19.
Audience – General
· Top Ten COVID-19 Anxiety Reduction Strategies
o Many people have different ways of coping with stress. Here are some of the top tips to help in providing good mental health practices.
· American Association on Health and Disability – Survey Results on Mental Health and COVID from PWD
o This online survey report, provided by the American Association on Health and Disability, provides results on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities, particularly when it comes to mental health.
· 5 Things About Staying Mentally Healthy
o This video provides five tips to help keep your mental state healthy during this time of COVID-19.
Audience – Caregivers, Employers/Business Owners
Medtrade East – Structuring COVID-19 Protocols for DME Suppliers
o Medtrade has creating a resource to help in structuring protocols for patients and caregivers/employees when handling durable medical equipment (DME).
Audience – People with Disabilities, Caregivers
National Pass It On Center – The Need and Considerations for CPAP Reuse
o Clean and sanitized durable medical equipment is critical, and during the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. The National Pass It On Center has provided a presentation to help in ensuring safety and sanitization of CPAPs.
o Durable medical equipment can be refurbished and reused by those in need. However, proper sanitization is important to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Audience - General
o While staying socially distant and limiting interaction with others, many grocery apps have helped people with disabilities by delivering the things they need.
· COVID-19 risk chart: Which activities put you more at risk for coronavirus?
o As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, what are the risks of certain everyday activities? This news story helps us understand just how much of a risk particular tasks or activities pose while the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Audience – Blind/Vision Disabilities
o Grocery apps have become a staple for those with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. These apps have been vetted and are accessible to those who are blind or have a visual impairment so they may be able to fully access the same level of service as anyone else.
o It can be difficult to know if you are socially distancing at the recommended six feet length, but for those with vision disabilities it can be very difficult or impossible to know for sure. The Lighthouse Guild have provided tips on how to practice safe social distancing for those who are blind or have low vision.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Resources
Making Vaccination Sites Accessible for People with Disabilities and Older Adults (fact sheet)
- The Creating an Accessible Vaccine Experience for People with Disabilities an Older Adults document highlights both physical and programmatic accessibility considerations for vaccine sites.Helpful tips are give for vaccine site accessibility, providing communication, and addressing accessibility for making appointments. This document was created by the Vaccine InformationCollaborative for Older Adults and People with Disabilities which is comprised of national organizations serving the disability and aging populations.
Audience – Deaf/Hard of Hearing
- o Dr. Kathleen Toomey is the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health and provides information about receiving a vaccination for COVID-19, along with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter David Cowan. This video is provided by the Office of Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp.