COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities

Photo of masked man and woman touching elbows in greeting

March 27, 2020

There are lots of resources out there to support people with disabilities, their families, and service providers as they navigate COVID-19 and keep themselves safe, healthy, and informed.

Here is a short list of some that you may find useful. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but intended to be a place to start.

General Information

Administration for Community Living (ACL) Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

This website shares information for older adults and people with disabilities (available in Spanish and American Sign Language). It includes information about:

  • Prevention and planning
  • COVID-19 symptoms and warning signs
  • Aging and Disability information on:
    • Medicaid
    • HCBS waivers
    • Telehealth
    • Medicare Fraud
  • Resources for:
    • Family caregivers
    • People with developmental disabilities
    • People with paralysis
    • First responders.

Montana Disability & Health Program: COVID-19 Information and Resources

A list of resources that include:

  • Montana-specific links and information
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention website links
  • International updates and resources
  • A fact sheet about COVID-19 that is clearly written and available in 13+ languages
  • Resources and information specifically for:
    • Service providers
    • The Deaf community
    • Infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities
  • Online physical activity resources

USDA Rural Development- USDA Implements Immediate Measures to Help Rural Residents, Businesses and Communities Affected by COVID-19

USDA Rural Development has announced a series of measures meant to bring immediate help to rural residents struggling to afford housing, rural landlords who own affordable housing, rural utilities, and rural small business owners, retroactively effective to March 19.

For Families

Center for Parent Information & Resources- Coronavirus Resources

A list of resources on the following topics:

  • Guidance from the U.S. Department of Education (and Others)
  • COVID-19 info in other languages
  • Telecommuting technology
  • Schooling at home
  • Coping tips

Autism

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules- Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times

Shares support strategies and ready-made resources to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during this period of uncertainty.

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center: Resources for Autism Assessment and Care amid COVID-10 Pandemic

Webinars that share information and resources for different groups, including:

  • A series of no-cost webinars for families of young children
  • Six-week curriculum modules (challenging behavior, social communication, play, toilet training, sleep) for early intervention providers
  • Tools for tele-diagnostic assessments for toddlers for diagnosticians
  • Training on ethical considerations in the use of telemedicine for delivering behavior analytic service

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Virtual Grand Rounds webinar: COVID-19 & People with IDD: What You Need to Know

  • A webinar for clinicians to learn from colleagues in a patient-centered manner to encourage comprehensive care provision to patients with IDD.
    • April 7, 2020, at 8 p.m. EST
    • Presented by Dr. Geoffrey A. Weinberg, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, specializing in Infectious Diseases at the University of Rochester.

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD)- COVID-19 Information and Resources

This site shares both Texas-specific and national resources. Resources that could be useful for people around the country include information about:

  • How Covid-19 could impact you
  • Plain language resources
  • Addressing the needs of students with disabilities
  • Disability advocacy and COVID-19

Deaf-Blind

Resources shared by the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults

Spinal Cord Injury, Brain Injury, MS

Shepherd Center Q&A: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Information on how COVID-19 could affect people with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries or MS, and tips on how to prevent illness.

Other Resources

•    CDC What People with Disabilities and Care Providers Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines
•    Learn more about ACL COVID-19 Vaccination resources for people with disabilities and older adults.
•    AARP What to Know About the Coronavirus Vaccines: Questions continue as millions of Americans get immunized
•    FDA COVID-19 Vaccines. The FDA has regulatory processes in place to facilitate the development of COVID-19 vaccines that meet the FDA's rigorous scientific standards.
•    Find other state, local and tribal partners available to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Looking for something else?  For more resources, visit the COVID-19 Resources post on the RTC:Rural website which includes resources for Centers for Independent Living, Indian Country, rural health organizations, and supporting telecommunication and remote work.

Vaccination Resources

To find a health care provider, contact Montana Primary Care Association or the Montana Office on Rural Health and Area Health Education Center.

To find COVID-19 resources and vaccination information for older adults and people with disabilities: