Individuals and Families

Individuals and Families

How COVID-19 Could Impact You

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified people with disabilities and older adults as among the groups of people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) published information that covers what people with disabilities and older adults need to know about COVID-19. The information includes how to reduce exposure to the virus, tips for preventing illness, and symptoms to watch for. Click the links below to learn more about how COVID-19 could impact you.

Resources

Safe at Home (Video)
The SAFE Disability Services team created a video, titled “Safe at Home,” to help kids and young adults who are struggling with increased isolation and may be at higher risk for being abused at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video talks with kids about trusting their emotions, and gives kids steps for reaching out and getting help if they are being hurt. The video is designed to be accessible for youth with and without disabilities and to provide information and suggestions for getting help.

SAFE developed the video as part of a TCDD-funded project to provide leadership and advocacy training to transition-age youth with developmental disabilities. Additional resources, including a fact sheet about common reactions and possible responses to children and youth with traumatic experiences, are available at SAFE’s Promoting Justice website.

A Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19 (Booklet)
Green Mountain Self-Advocates created a guide that explains COVID-19 in plain language for self-advocates. The booklet covers symptoms, tips for prevention, how to plan for staying home, and more. The first section of the booklet, COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities, is available in multiple languages.

Know Your Rights: People with Disabilities Can Have a Supporter in the Hospital During COVID-19 (Video)
Green Mountain Self-Advocates created a video that explains the right for people with disabilities to have a supporter in the hospital with them and how to ask the hospital for necessary accommodations.

How to Stay Healthy from COVID-19 (Flyer)
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities created a one-page flyer with COVID-19 prevention tips.

Coronavirus: Tips to Stay Healthy (Video)
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities produced a short video that features self-advocates sharing tips about how to stay healthy during the COVID-19 situation. To watch the video, click here.
The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute developed a free online toolkit designed to help families and caregivers who are supporting individuals with autism during COVID-19. The toolkit is full of user-friendly strategies, ready-made resources and examples, and links to additional supports to help families navigate this challenging time. To access the toolkit, click here.

COVID-19 Videos in ASL (Video)
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services produced videos about COVID-19 using American Sign Language (ASL). The videos provide information about COVID-19, social distancing, self-care, and more.

Exploring the New Coronavirus: A Comic Just for Kids (Zine)
NPR’s Malaka Gharib developed a zine that covers what kids might want to know about COVID-19. The zine is set up like a comic with illustrations and short sentences.

COVID-19 Safety Tips from Self-Advocates of California (Video)
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities created a four-part video series regarding COVID-19. In the series, self-advocates give advice and information in English and Spanish.

When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19
The CDC has developed information about when it is safe to be around other people after having COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions by Guardians About the COVID-19 Pandemic
The National Guardianship Association and the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging recently updated their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on guardianship issues during COVID-19. The FAQs are also available in Spanish.

Health Profile for People with Disabilities (Form)
The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Office of the Governor of California have created a health profile form for people with disabilities. You can use this form to communicate with health care professionals as well as law enforcement.

Preparing for Disaster During COVID-19 (Toolkit)
The American Red Cross has developed a toolkit with guidelines to prepare for and navigate potential natural disasters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The toolkit explains hazards that can affect your community during a disaster and what you can do to stay safe.

Online vs. In-School Learning: What to Consider for Children with Special Education and/or Healthcare Needs (Toolkit)
The University of Cincinnati Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities has developed a new resource to help families with difficult decisions about online and in-person learning. The resource includes a school re-entry fact sheet and a school decision-making tool.