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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to all people 16 years and older who live or work in Washington state.

Visit the Dept. of Health Vaccine Locator to find and schedule an appointment.

Are you or someone you know homebound and need a COVID-19 vaccine?


Fill out a secure online form to be connected to a Mobile Vaccine Team in your area.

Need help? Call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #. Language assistance is available.

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including vaccine facts, visit WA. Dept. of Health here.

Where Can You Receive Your COVID-19 Vaccine?

Homebound Individuals

For people experiencing barriers to getting their vaccine, use the survey link below to complete a registration form to link you to available County and/or State Mobile Vaccine Teams who can provide or arrange for homebound vaccination services. You can fill out the survey for yourself or someone else.

The WA Department of Health has a useful interactive map to help you find vaccine distribution sites nearest you. Click here. There are several locations statewide.

CARES Act Program Outreach Videos

Central Washington Disability Resources (CWDR), a Center for Independent Living in Ellensburg, WA, recently worked with local videographers to create two informational videos to highlight their CARES ACT program and the services that can be provided in Kittitas, Yakima, Grant, Chelan, and Douglas counties. Both videos are accessible with closed captioning, as well as sign-language interpreters. The video is provided in Spanish and is accessible as well. CWDR is dedicated to providing accurate and helpful information related to the Covid-19 pandemic. CWDR felt these informational videos would be a great way to provide outreach through the CARESACT program.

Video in English, ASL, CART

Video in Spanish, ASL, CART

Health & Disease Prevention

WA State Department of Health (DOH)

For a full list of resources, a summary of the risk to the general public, and regularly updated DOH news releases, visit the website for the WA State Department of Health (DOH). Specific information about testing can be found here.

WA DOH also has COVID-19 related educational materials in 26+ languages available here.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn about symptoms, how COVID-19 is spread, and prevention tips which are disability-specific.

Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19 in Washington: WA Notify App

Washington residents now have a new way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Washington Exposure Notifications — WA Notify — is a completely private feature on smartphones that can inform people if they have been exposed to COVID-19 by another user who later tests positive. You can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by adding WA Notify to your phone today. Studies show that the more people who use it, the more effective it is. Learn more from the WA Dept. of Health here.

Red Cross Offers Virtual Family Assistance

Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic creates additional challenges and needs, the Red Cross is offering a free assistance program to anyone who would like support in various ways, such as: a toll-free help line, suicide prevention lifeline, disaster distress, behavioral health, spiritual care, health services, and more. Click here to visit their web page.

Important Questions to Ask Your Home-Care Provider Prior to Them Entering Your House

To protect yourself and your family/roommates from exposure to COVID-19, consider asking anyone that enters your house some questions about their health and their activity. The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) developed a list of questions for case managers to ask their clients, and these questions are also important and relevant for clients to ask their care providers. Visit DDA's website.

Caring for Someone at Home

Care at home can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people who are at risk for getting seriously ill. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers tips about monitoring symptoms, knowing emergency warning signs, preventing the spread of germs at home, and more at their website.

Disability-Specific COVID-19 Information

Blind and Low-Vision Accessible COVID-19 Information Available

If you or a loved one is seeking COVID-19 relevant information that is accessible to the blind and low-vision community, visit the Blind COVID website to find resources for navigating systems during the pandemic. Blind COVID is a grant funded by the WA State Dept. of Health that was given to the School for the Blind for the purpose of empowering blind and low vision individuals.

Blind COVID Access phone line: (360) 947-3330.

Email blindcovid@wssb.wa.gov

Basic COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities

For a reference guide to basic information related to COVID-19, click here.

What Do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) offers helpful facts to consider, from explaining why older adults and some people with disabilities should take precautions to protect themselves, to tips to prevent illness. Visit the ACL website.

Seven Strategies to Support Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through Uncertain Times

  1. Support understanding
  2. Offer opportunities for expression
  3. Prioritize coping and calming skills
  4. Maintain routines
  5. Build new routines
  6. Foster connections (from a distance)
  7. Be aware of changing behaviors

Learn more about these strategies here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page for a detailed PDF information sheet.

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Site Accessibility

The Northwest ADA Center has provided guidance for accessibility needs when utilizing a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. Read the guidelines at their website.

Graphics Communication Card for Coronavirus

Effective communication with caregivers and medical professionals is crucial. For a graphics communication card with useful terms related to seeking medical care, preventing virus transmission, symptoms, and more can be found and printed here.

Videos About COVID-19 for People with Disabilities

The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has produced videos pertaining to different subjects related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) for people with disabilities. This is part of an on-going video series, and more videos will follow.

  1. COVID-19: Who's At Risk for Complications?
  2. COVID-19: Social Distancing
  3. COVID-19 & Disability: Precautions for People in Wheelchairs
  4. COVID-19 & Disability: Keeping Wheelchairs Clean
  5. COVID-19 & Disability: Being a Self-Advocate
  6. COVID-19 & Disability: Knowing Your Legal Rights

Communication

Accessibility Resources and Videos

Georgia Tech's Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, in partnership with the CDC, have created a trove of resources about COVID-19, including videos, available in ASL, Braille, and Simplified Text.

American Sign Language (ASL) Videos

The CDC has developed dozens of videos in ASL regarding various topics related to COVID-19.

Learn the facts about Washington state's mandatory face mask policy, accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing, and facts about disease transmission prevention. Click here to watch the video.

WA State Department of Health Releases American Sign Language (ASL) Re-Opening Guidance Videos

Videos can be found on the DOH’s ASL landing page, contain guidance for the Safe Start plan, each separate re-opening phase, and requirements for individuals, businesses, and employers. You can find more information here.

WA State Department of Health Coronavirus Fact Sheet in 11 Languages

For a quick, printable PDF fact sheet available in 11 languages, click here.

Consumer Warnings

Avoid COVID-19 Related Medicare Fraud Scams

Scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your Medicare Number and personal information. If anyone reaches out to get your Medicare Number or personal information in exchange for something, it is a scam.

If you receive a phone call, email, or text message offering free face masks, free COVID-19 testing kits, "cures", or other protective equipment, this is also most likely a scam, because these scammers ask for your Medicare Number in exchange for the product.

Learn more about preventing Medicare fraud here.

Warning About Scams Related to Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), US Dept. of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the United States Secret Service (USSS) have released a joint alert to help Americans avoid scams related to coronavirus economic impact payments (stimulus checks). Read more here.

Know Your Rights to Accessing Healthcare Services and Receiving Equitable Care

  1. You cannot be denied care because you have a disability. Your civil rights have not changed! This includes the right to be treated fairly in the hospital.
  2. Hospital policies for visitors have changed to stop the spread of the virus. They may not allow visitors at this time. But they can make an exception if you need help with advocating, communicating, understanding your treatment plan, or self-care.
  3. State Medicaid programs must now pay for any help you need from attendants while you are in the hospital.