COVID-19 Resources for Georgians with Developmental Disabilities
COVID-19 Resources for People with Developmental Disabilities
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) joins local, national and international communities in acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic, also known as coronavirus. As a trusted resource for Georgians with developmental disabilities and their families, GCDD aims to continue educating and informing our community.
Please see below for a list of vetted and accessible resources and materials for the most up-to-date developments. This list includes regional, statewide, national and international information regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 from trusted sources in one central location. As more verified resources become available, they will be added to this list.
For the most current national information contact the Centers for Disease Control.
Georgia-Specific Resources:
- Atlanta Legal Aid flyers: Public Benefits in Georgia During COVID-19, Atlanta Legal Aid Is Open During the COVID-19 Crisis
- Appendix K Plain Language Document for recipients of NOW/COMP Waivers
- Augusta University Health free virtual COVID-19 screening
- The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities COVID Vaccine Letter to Governor Kemp
- COVID-19 Positive Patient Intake Support Form (for people with I/DD who have been admitted into hospitals with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, outlines important considerations for care in a hospital, including advanced directive if needed)
- DBHDD: Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) Specialists List
- GAO: Keeping People with Disabilities Safe
- Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Guide to coronavirus/COVID-19
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line: 1-800-715-4225
- Georgia Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: 1-844-442-2681
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Updates in ASL (All Hands On Videos)
- Georgia Developmental Disability Network is collecting COVID-19 stories from Georgians with I/DD. Fill out the form to share your story.
- Governor Kemp’s Executive Orders
- The Georgia Developmental Disability Network Letter to Governor Kemp on COVID-19
- COVID-19 Positive Patient Intake Support Form (for people with I/DD who have been admitted into hospitals with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19, outlines important considerations for care in a hospital, including advanced directive if needed)
Global Agencies:
Federal Resources:
- Administration for Community Living
- CDC guidance for reopening childcare, schools, places of worship and high risk individuals
- Centers for Disease Control
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Center for Public Representation
- Center for Public Representation: Guiding Principles for Avoiding Disability Discrimination in Treatment Rationing
- Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Updates in ASL (All Hands On Videos)
- IRS guidance for stimulus checks for those who don’t file tax returns: English, Spanish (pdf)
Community Organizations:
- AARP – Search for food, housing, goods, transit, health, money, care, education, work, legal
- Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education (AFCPE) - one-on-one, virtual financial counseling
- California State Council on Developmental Disabilities Coronavirus Scam and Fraud Alert: English, Spanish
- California State Council on Developmental Disabilities COVID Safety Tips Videos
- California State Council on Developmental Disabilities Fillable Health Profile
- Center for Dignity in Health Care Safeguard Against Disability Discrimination During COVID-19
- Communication First – COVID-19 Communications Rights Toolkit
- COVID-19 Toolkit for DSPs
- Florida Center for inclusive Communities - Health Care Passport for People with Disabilities
- Green Mountain Self Advocates at the Vermont DD Council
- Green Mountain Self Advocates - Coronavirus Plain Language Glossary
- Green Mountain Self Advocates - Tips for Working with Support Staff During COVID-19
- Green Mountain Self Advocates - A Sample Advocacy letter written by Vermont Self-Advocates
- Green Mountain Self Advocates - Tips On How To Advocate For Changes To COVID 19 Hospital Visitation & Support Policies In Your State
- Indiana Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services - COVID-19 Visual Communication Card: 8.5 x 11 for printing, For use on mobile devices
- New Hampshire’s Multi-Lingual Resources
- National Rehabilitation Information Center Resources to Stay Active and Engaged
- National Association for the Deaf - A Message about Coronavirus
- National Disability Institute (NDI) - Financial Resilience Center
- Ohio Association of County Boards of DD/Right Care Now Project Health Passport Hospital Transfer Form
- Portlight Strategies
- Rooted In Rights COVID-19 Resources
- Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center(SARTAC) - Plain Language Information on COVID-19 (in 11 languages)
- Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center(SARTAC) - Videos - What is the Coronavirus?
- The Self-Determination Channel of Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities - Coronavirus Tips for Staying Healthy
- Southeast ADA Center ADA Disability and COVID-19 information portal
- Tools for Life COVID-19 resource page
-
Tools for Life Communications Options When You Are Hospitalized video
Additional Resources:
- Emergency Picture Communication Aid, English
- Emergency Picture Communication Aid, Spanish
A Message from GCDD's Executive Director Eric E. Jacobson
To members of the GCDD community,
Only a week ago, COVID-19 was likely not something most of us worried about and did not expect to impact our lives. Today, COVID-19 has changed our routines around work, transportation and even going out to eat. For each of us, COVID-19 has become a challenge, and for some it may be scary because we can’t see the virus or always identify who has it. For some people with disabilities and health issues such as heart conditions or diabetes, COVID-19 can cause added hardships and illness. Other questions many of us might have include, “What will happen if my direct care staff are unable to come to work because everyone is at home trying to stay safe or have contracted the virus? If this happens, who will help us get up in the morning or make sure we get our medications?”
GCDD wants you to know that the State of Georgia is still open for business. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is working to make sure that direct care staff are able to do their jobs and that people have access to the funds necessary to continue providing supports. The most important thing is for us to remain patient and (as much as is possible at this time) come together as a community to support each other.
GCDD staff will be working remotely for the foreseeable future, but we will be returning emails and phone calls. We think our job is to get you to the best, most trusted resources available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health are the two best places to receive updates on COVID-19 and how developments may impact you. We have listed these resources and more below. We will be updating this as new information becomes available.
Like you, we at GCDD are continuing with a new “business as usual” mentality. From all of us at GCDD, we are committed to you and the important work that we have been doing, and we wish you the very best as you navigate these challenging times.