COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community

Last updated: 4:00pm, 11/17/20

In light of developments in the outbreak of COVID-19 across the country, Access Living will continue to support our community in a multitude of ways, including creating and maintaining the below list of resources.

Please note: This is a living document. Information will be updated as it changes or becomes available.

As a person with a disability, how are you being impacted by Covid-19? Tell us your story.

Recently Added
Accessible Tech Resources
City and State Updates and News
Communications Access Assistance
Collective Care, Caregiving, and Organizing
Coronavirus Preparedness
Disability Health Information
Food
Get Involved – Advocacy
HCBS and Personal Assistants

Healthcare Guidance from the State of Illinois
Housing
Media
Parents and Teachers: Schooling and Activities for Kids at Home
Pet Aid Resources
Relief Funds
Self-Care
Transportation
Volunteer Opportunities

Recently Added

Collective Care, Caregiving, and Organizing

For information on volunteering assistance, please see the Volunteer Opportunities section of the resource page. Please note that mutual aid groups, resources, or offers are not affiliated with local or state governments, professional organizations, or other verified entities. Please use caution and your best judgement when choosing to provide information to these groups or individuals.

Coronavirus Preparedness

Disability Health Information & Resources

Reduce Prescription Costs with the Chicago RX Card
COVID-19 Guidance for Congregate Living Facilities
Guide for Staff and Residents of Congregate Settings
Access Living and More than 140 Illinois Organizations Request COVID-19 Treatment Protocols
What to do if you need care and you are uninsured
Free COVID-19 Support Program for Chronic Disease Patients and Their Families
Coronavirus Anxiety: Key Advice for Chronic Illness Patients
Home Services Program Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Guidance for People at Higher Risk
Information and updates from the National Council on Independent Living on COVID-19
Virtual AA meetings as well as a variety of remotely accessible resources for Alcoholics Anonymous members
For LGBTQ elders and those aging with HIV: SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline
COVID-19 and OCDAdvice and Coping Strategies
COVID-19 sanitation best practices for the blind/visually impaired
HIV Resource Coordination Hub
COVID-19 resources for incarcerated people
National Disability Institute Financial Resilience Center for People with Disabilities
A Checklist for People with Disabilities – Preparing for Hospitalization During COVID
Cleaning service for older adults – the heavy duty chore program
Keeping Your Wheelchair Clean During COVID-19
COVID-19 Precautions for People in Wheelchairs
COVID-19 and Disability: Being a Self-Advocate and Knowing Your Rights
Returning to Work During Covid-19

Food

How to grocery shop with consideration for others during self-quarantine
Grocery stores with hours for seniors and at-risk individuals
Find a Chicago-area food bank or pantry
Having food delivered? Here’s how to get take-out delivered safely
Brave Space Alliance will be operating a crisis food pantry for queer and trans folks on the south side of Chicago during the pandemic. If you would like food or other supplies dropped off at your front door, please use this form. They are prioritizing folks who are sick, disabled, quarantined without pay, elderly, undocumented Black, Brown, or Indigenous.
Top Box Grocery Delivery in Chicago
Chicago Grocery Delivery Options
Grocery Delivery Through Shopping Angels, Inc.

Get Involved – Advocacy

#DisabilityDemands: Our coronavirus response must include disabled and low-income people
Mapping the Disability Experience During COVID-19: Share Your Stories

HCBS and Personal Assistants

Healthcare Guidance from the State of Illinois

Guidance for Support Persons in Health Care Facilities (including hospitals)
Guidance Relating to Non-Discrimination in Medical Treatment for COVID-19
Illinois Remote Covid-19 Patient Monitoring Program
COVID-19 testing is now available for home care workers employed under the Illinois DHS-DRS Home Services Program. See this link for more details about who can get tested and how it works.

Housing

Despite Coronavirus eviction ban, some Chicago landlords are using illegal to lock out tenants. If you are facing eviction here are a few tenants rights organizations you can contact:

Metropolitan Tenants Organization
Legal Aid Chicago
City of Chicago Rents Right Hotline
If you are facing eviction due to disability discrimination, contact Access Living’s Civil Rights Team.

Important Information for Chicago Tenants Fearing Eviction Because of Covid-19
On-site housing and Off-site Housing for people and pets who need a safe escape from domestic violence
CHA Request for Interim Rent Recalculation
Housing Authority of Cook County COVID-19 Related Interim Request
Letter Template for Requesting Interim Tenant Rent Recertification
COVID-19 resources related to housing and homelessness from Housing Action Illinois
The Chicago COVID-19 Eviction Prevention Project in English and en español
Emergency Rental Assistance – Illinois Housing Development Authority
Department of Family and Support Services has announce the Rental Assistance Program in an effort to prevent homelessness
The Mayor’s Office has launched the Utility Billing Relief UBR Program to help low-income residents come into compliance on water bill payments
The City of Chicago is providing further rent/mortgage assistance to households in Chicago impacted by Covid-19

Media

Most major news outlets have announced that all COVID-19 coverage will be available to all for free. Here are a handful of outlets with free coverage:

Parents and Teachers

Schooling

Using Boom Cards and Technology in Distance Learning for Special Ed
How to Utilize Paraprofessionals During Distance Learning
CPS Online Reopening Guide
ODLSS Remote Learning Guidance
CPS Remote Learning Overview
CPS Office of Diverse Learners – Remote Learning Plan Fact Sheet for Parents
Legal Council for Health Justice, Frequently Asked Questions for Parents: Education and COVID-19 (Updated)
ODLSS Tips for Parents on Remote IEP Meetings
Apoyos y Servicios para Estudiantes Diversos – Consejos Rápido De Padre a Padre Sobre Participación en Reuniones Remotas De IEP
Tips for Protecting Your Child’s IEP Services During COVID-19 (English)
Consejos para proteger los servicios IEP de su hijo(a) durante COVID-19 (Espanol)
Q&A on providing services to students with disabilities during the COVID-19 outbreak from the U.S. Department of Education
Math videos for supplemental instruction (with captions!)
Scholastic for Kids at Home: Activities to keep kids reading, learning, and growing
24 at-home learning activities for parents and children
There is a Social Story on Facebook to help you explain school closures to your little ones. Here’s the link to the Facebook post. You can also download it directly from the “Resources” section on the left side of this page.
Two research-based strategy bundles for families of students with disabilities
Special Education distance learning resources for parents and teachers
Illinois State Board of Education Continuing Education Resources
For Teachers: Accessible teaching in the time of COVID-19, and a related Twitter thread on e-learning accessibility for students with disabilities.
For Teachers: How to provide access and accommodations to your students
Redefine What’s Possible at Home – Support, Guidance, and Resources for Parents and Families
Your Child’s Special Education Rights During COVID-19

Activities for Kids at Home

Stay Home. Hit Play. Video Series for Young Chicagoans
12 famous museums your kids can tour from your living room
Virtual Story Time via the Brooklyn Public Library
Tune in to a live-stream of the animals of the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Kids Should See This: Smart videos for curious minds of all ages
Storyline Online: Free children’s literacy resource featuring the world’s best storytellers reading books aloud
For kids who like to get up and moving throughout the day: GoNoodle, Good Energy at Home
Free audiobooks for kids

Pet Aid

Illinois Pet Food Pantry List
On-site housing and Off-site Housing for people and pets who need a safe escape from domestic violence
RedRover Relief Emergency Pet Boarding Grants

Relief Funds

Rapid Response Layoff Assistance from Illinois Worknet Center
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund: Assistance for restaurant worker, delivery driver, or Uber/Lyft driver who has been affected by coronavirus
City of Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Illinois Department of Employment Security FAQ on COVID-19 and Unemployment
Temporary financial assistance for pregnant women/families w/one or more dependent children
Stimulus Check Resource: Non-Predatory Accounts for Un-banked Individuals

Self-Care

Crisis Counselor Text Line
Mental Health Toolkit for Coronavirus anxiety
Grounding, meditation, and mindfulness techniques free of charge from Calm. (Suitable for kids too!)
Mental health, grief, anxiety, and other coping resources from NAMI
Getting emotionally organized during a crisis

Transportation

What to do if you’re disabled and a CTA driver won’t let you board through the front door
Information on Pace’s Response to COVID-19. Reminder: Until further notice, TAP is free for rides under $30. Open Taxi also dispatches accessible cabs that accept TAP.
What the CTA is doing to mitigate risk during COVID-19

Volunteer Opportunities

Check with your Aldermanic office. Your Ward may be developing a community relief group for your neighborhood. Look up your Ward information here.
Sign up to provide childcare to healthcare workers in Chicago
Brave Space Alliance COVID-19 Mutual Aid Sign-up
Chicago COVID-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Lakeview Pantry
Chicago Medical Reserve Corps
American Red Cross
Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund
CPS Students Compassion Fund for COVID-19 Closures
Chicago Service Relief
PPE & Medical Supplies

COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community