COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community

COVID-19 Resources for the Disability Community

Last updated: 9:00am, 6/8/21

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.

Vaccine Updates

• Patient fact sheets in English and Spanish
• Homebound Vaccination Program for City of Chicago Homebound Residents
• COVID-19 Social Story for People of Color with Disabilities
• The CDC issues new guidelines for adults who have been vaccinated for Covid-19
• Illinois Vaccine Appointment Aggregator – Find an available appointment for you or someone you love. **Some areas are struggling to get their residents vaccinated, so please be conscious of booking in neighborhoods you don’t usually visit**
• United Center Mass Vaccination Site Information
• Change in eligibility for the United Center mass vaccination site. Learn more here.
• Chicago residents that are eligible by the State of Illinois’s definition of 1B+ can book appointments at this link or by contacting the call center at (312) 746-4835. The center is staffed Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 8am to 4pm. Slots are set aside for the call center so people who don’t have internet access will not lose the opportunity to make appointments.  

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Recently Added

• Chicago moves to Phase 5 of reopening plan on June 11
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program in Chicago – Apply by June 15
• Questions and Answers on Civil Rights and School Reopening in the COVID-19 Environment
• New monthly child tax credit payments to start July 15
• Apply for Illinois emergency rental assistance program
• TSA extends face mask requirements at airports and throughout the transportation network
• Emergency Broadband Benefits
• Statement from Chicago Public Health Department on New Mask Guidance, 5.18.21
• CDC Guidelines for the Fully Vaccinated
• Updated Mask Guidance from the CDC
• COVID-19 Accessible Resources
• Donate or apply for mobility equipment from Devices 4 the Disabled

Accessible Tech Resources

• Online Course Accessibility Checklist
• Remote communication options for Deaf/Hard of Hearing professionals or students
• Access strategies for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing in remote meetings
• National Homework Hotline for Blind/Visually Impaired Students
• Accessibility tips for a better Zoom meeting
• Virtual event/meeting accessibility options
• On-Site and Remote Captioning & Interpreting Services

City and State Updates and News

• Governor Pritzker has extended the statewide eviction moratorium through Saturday, January 9, 2021. Tenants who believe they qualify for the extended moratorium must fill out, sign, and submit a declaration form to their landlord that attests to their inability to pay rent due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• FAQ: IDHS Home Services Program Covid-19 Initiatives
• CDPH Covid-19 Risk Assessment Tool
• Covid-19 testing sites in the State of Illinois
• IDHS Coronavirus Information Center
• Cook County Social Vulnerability Index
• Cook County Medical Examiner COVID-19 Dashboard
• Coronavirus.Illinois.Gov
• Chicago Department of Public Health Coronavirus Information
• Chicago COVID Coach Website/App
• IDHS/DRS support hotline for current and prospective customers during COVID-19 pandemic – You can call by phone or relay: 1-877-581-3690. Learn more
• Governor Pritzker’s Plan to Reopen Illinois– May 5, 2020
• Illinois Remote Covid-19 Patient Monitoring Program
• Home Services Program Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
• Illinois COVID-19 Immigrant Family Support Project
• City of Chicago COVID-19 Testing Sites
• City of Chicago COVID-19 Eviction Protection Ordinance – June 17, 2020
• Video – Access IDHS Services Remotely During Coronavirus

Communications Access Assistance

• Stay at Home Advisory Plain Language Guide from the Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition
• ACS Remote Captioning
• Communication Resources for Deaf/deaf, HOH, DeafBlind Community
• A guide for Deaf/HOH community on communicating with medical staff during COVID-19
• Plain language tips for support staff – Written by folks with I/DD
• Covid-19 ASL Hotline
• Public health flyers in 30+ languages
• Letter Template To Use For Any Live News Updates Without ASL Access
• COVID-19 information in different languages
• COVID-19 information – ASL
• Easy Read information on COIVD-19
• COVID-19 ASL videos from the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
• Plain Language guide on COVID-19
• ASL videos on Covid-19 from the CDC
• Printables: Letter to communicate with law enforcement if you don’t speak English, cannot speak, or if your primary language is ASL
• Live Transcribe for IOS – The story behind the app and where to buy it
• Transcription/Note-Taking App Ottor.ai Allows for Live Transcription
• Apps for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Kids and Adults – Android
• Apps for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Kids and Adults – iOS
• Roundup of ASL Resources on Coronavirus

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.

• Examples of Collective Care Projects Undertaken by the Disabled, Queer Communities
• Safety Practices for Covid Mutual Care Projects
• Community Catalyst’s Guide to Organizing During Social Distancing
• COVID-19 Sex Worker Harm Reduction Resources
• Pod mapping for mutual aid
• Template: Creating a mutual aid group
• Organizing and DIY resources from Its Going Down
• Suggested Practice for Racial Equity Rapid Response Outreach
• COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Immigrants

Coronavirus Preparedness

• COVID-19 information for people with disabilities from the CDC
• #NoBodyIsDisposable Know Your Rights Guide to Surviving COVID-19 Triage Protocols
• How to make your own face mask
• Know Your Rights: I.C.E. and Covid-19
• Covid-19 Preparedness for the Disability Community
• Pandemic preparedness in the workplace + the ADA
• Preparedness checklist for individuals and households
• Template: My Coronavirus Emergency Plan
• Half Assed Disabled Prepper Tips for Preparing for a Coronavirus Quarantine, by Leah Piepzna-Samarasinha
• Fat-Assed Prepper Survival Tips for Preparing for a Coronavirus Quarantine
• CDC Guidance on Face Coverings and How to Make One
• Funeral Guidance for Individuals and Families During COVID-19
• Reasonable Accommodations During COVID-19

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
• Mental Health Resources from NAMI
• Disaster Planning When You’re Disabled 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.
• West Side Residents Can Sign Up To Get Free Groceries Delivered

General Vaccine Information

• Vaccine FAQs – Illinois Department of Public Health
• Vaccine FAQs – City of Chicago
• Vaccine Planning Information – City of Chicago
• Vaccine Information Hub for the City of Chicago
• Vaccine Planning Information – State of Illinois
• City of Chicago Vaccine Distribution Data
• Plain Language Covid-19 Vaccine Information
• Reasons to Vaccinate – CDC
• Tutorial – Using Zocdoc to Sign up for COVID Vaccine in Chicago
• State of Illinois Vaccination Location Finder
• Become an Illinois Covid-19 Prevention Ambassador
• COVID-19 Vaccine Scam Alert – Chicago Department of Public Health
• When can I get the vaccine? – New York Times Vaccine Tracker
• ICYMI: Watch the Recording of Virtual Community Q&A on the Covid-19 Vaccine
• Covid-19 Vaccine Prioritization Dashboard – Understanding how each state is prioritizing the disability community in COVID-19 vaccine distribution
• ICYMI: Watch the Recording of Virtual Webinar on the Covid-19 Vaccine and the Disability Community
• IDHS Clarification on Vaccine Administration for Certain Family Members of People with Disabilities
• Protect Yourself from Covid Vaccine Scams

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

• Emergency back-up personal provider program in Illinois
• Coronavirus updates from the Illinois Department of Human Services concerning the Home Services Program

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 tactics 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.

• Chicago tenants: Know your rights about evictions and lockouts
• For blind/visually impaired adults in Illinois – Friedman Place Rental Assistance Program
• The latest FAQ for Illinois’ eviction moratorium
• Pregúntale a Renny, el Robot de Rentervention
• 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:

• New York Times
• The Washington Post
• The Atlantic
• The Chicago Tribune

Parents and Teachers

Schooling

• Thinking about homeschooling during Covid? Your child will likely receive limited services from their local public school while being homeschooled. More info here.
• Distance Learning Packets and Strategies for Special Education
• Accessible Teaching in the Time of Covid-19
• 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
• Preliminary FAQ on Second Stimulus Payment

Self-Care

• Mental Health Resources from NAMI
• 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