COVID-19: Full List of Resources and Updates

Situations like the one we are experiencing with COVID-19 can be especially challenging for those with disabilities.

Listed below are some resources that may be helpful in explaining the current health situation along with tips to stay healthy:

Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Resources for Families, Caregivers and Providers
Augmentative Communication Resources
Coping / Mental Health Support
American Sign Language Resources
Education Resources for Students with Disabilities
University and Governmental COVID-19 Resources
Legislation and Policy Issues Related to COVID-19
Waisman Center Employee Information and Resources
FUN Virtual Activities and Experiences for Kids (and Adults!)

For Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities

About COVID-19

Coronavirus Social Story
An online flip book explaining Coronavirus in plain language from The Autism Partnership of Easterseals Chicago.
Dealing with COVID-19
Curated resources for those working with individuals who have developmental disabilities
Anxiety, Autism: Five Prime Suspects – with tips for coping at home during the Coronavirus oubreak
From the Autism Research Institute
Green Mountain Self-advocates for individuals with ID/DD | Spanish
This resource is an 8-page booklet about the Coronavirus written in plain language. It was created by and for people with developmental disabilities.
How to talk to your child with ASD about frightening situations
From Autism Speaks
What Should the Autism Community Know about COVID-19
From Autism Speaks
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
From Autism Focused Intervention Resources
COVID-19 Resource Toolkit
From Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living
COVID-19: effects on children with chronic illnesses
A video from Children’s Hospital Colorado
#COVIBOOK
Supporting and reassuring children around the world – available in multiple languages

Hand Washing and other Precautions

Don’t Share Your Germs: Social Story About Staying Healthy
From the Autism Society of North Carolina
Good Steps to Washing Your Hands-visual support
From the CDC
Everyone Gets Sick Sometimes: Flu Teaching Story
From Autism Speaks
Infection Control for Individuals with IDD
A video from the Developmental Disabilities Coalition

Resources for Families, Caregivers and Providers

Finding Your NEW NORMAL during COVID-19
Free online training for caregivers and providers
How to Ease Children’s Anxiety About COVID-19
From NAMI – The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
Coping After a Disaster
A Ready Wrigley activity book for children age 3-10
Preparing for Emergencies
From Family Voices of Wisconsin
COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
From the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Coronavirus Information and Resources
From Family Voices. Advice about what families of children with special health care needs can do.
Virtual Parent Support Group
Sign up online for free
Resources Specific to COVID-19
From the Catalyst Center. Includes a Medicaid toolkit, frequently asked questions about Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, coverage and benefits information, and additional links.
COVID-19 Information & Resources
A resource list from the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Important information for children and families about COVID-19
Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Diagnosis Specific Resources

Q&A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome
From the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group – USA
Information About COVID-19 for Cerebral Palsy Patients
From Cerebral Palsy News Today
Information About COVID-19 for Fragile X Syndrome Patients
From Fragile X News Today
COVID-19 Message for the Rett Community
From RettSyndrome.Org

Augmentative & Alternative Communication Resources

Social Stories for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
“Everyone is Worried about Getting Sick. What Can I Do?”
Supporting Communication with Patients who have COVID-19
Free resources for patients who are intubated and cannot speak
Coronavirus Vocabulary for Boardmakers (AAC)

Coping / Mental Health Support

Coping With Coronavirus: Managing Stress, Fear, and Anxiety
From the NIH, National Institute of Mental Health
Daily Life and Coping
CDC – Centers for Disease Control
The Healthy Minds Program Free
Translating pioneering neuroscience into tools for everyday life, our unique framework guides you through the four pillars of the science of training the mind.
Coping with COVID-19 (pdf)
From NAMI – The National Alliance on Mental Illness
How to Protect Your Mental Health during the Coronavirus Outbreak
From NAMI – The National Alliance on Mental Illness
Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak (pdf)
From WHO – The World Health Organization
Talking With Children: Tips for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks | Spanish
From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
How To Cope With Sheltering in Place | Spanish
From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Tips for Survivors: Coping With Grief After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks | Spanish
From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak | Spanish
From SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
COVID-19 Resources
From the American Psychological Association
Coronavirus Anxiety – Helpful Expert Tips and Resources
A comprehensive set of links from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

American Sign Language Resources

COVID-19 ASL
From the CDC – Centers for Disease Control
Information for the Deaf Community about COVID-19/Coronavirus
From Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.
A Message from the NAD About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Plus resources and links from the National Council of the Deaf

Education Resources for Students with Disabilities

Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities
From the US Department of Education
Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
From the US Department of Education
Webinar and fact sheet for protecting students’ civil rights during COVID-19 response
From the US Department of Education
Resources on accessibility, distance learning options for students with disabilities during COVID-19 emergency
From the US Department of Education
Provision of Special Education, Early Intervention, and 504 Services During the Coronavirus 2019 Outbreak
From AOTA – American Occupational Therapy Association
Wisconsin DPI – Information on COVID-19
Wisconsin DPI updates guidance for districts during COVID-19 school closures
Resources to Assist with Virtual Learning for Students on Alternate Standards

University and Governmental COVID-19 Resources

Legislation and Policy Issues Related to COVID-19

Small Victories, but Stimulus Bill Overlooks Many Critical Needs of People with Disabilities
From The Arc. Notes lack of funding for in-home support services, no paid time off for family caregivers, and other critical issues.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of Key Provisions
From the Kaiser Foundation. Includes information about paid sick and medical leave, health insurance, and a range of other family-related issues.
HHS Warns States Not To Put People With Disabilities At The Back Of The Line For Care
Story from NPR
OCR Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Recognizing people with disabilities in the COVID-19 pandemic
From the Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities

Waisman Center Employee Information and Resources

COVID-19 Pandemic Employee Work Location and Leave Policy
Resources for working & learning remotely
How to stay safe online while working remotely
Technology for working remotely – kb.wisc.edu
Guide for managing fears and anxiety related to COVID-19
Confidential counseling and consultation
Resources for working remotely
Tips for organizational effectiveness at a distance
Overcoming the Disorientation of Telecommuting
COVID-19 Information for NIH Applicants and Recipients
Due to the potential exceptional impact of COVID-19 on the research community, NIH is providing updated guidance and information as it becomes available to help you stay healthy and safe while continuing your research.