Inclusion Canada is sharing disability-related resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic on this page, pulled together in one spot. We are continuing to update the page throughout the pandemic.
- *NEW* Easy Read from CAMH – How to get your booster shot and stay protected from COVID-19
- Are you wondering why there are fewer covid rules this summer, even though people are still getting covid-19? In this easy read, Drs. Niel, Jiwa, and Lunsky answer questions from self advocate advisors.
- Vaccines – our work is not done
- Fredericton mother files human right complaints over lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in schools
- Disability advocates call on provinces to expand PCR testing eligibility | CBC.ca
Trusted COVID-19 Information
Avoid speculation and rely only on info provided by public health authorities to make important decisions that affect your family and loved ones. Some trusted sources of information include:
The Government of Canada recently released a guidance document on COVID-19 and people with disabilities.
Vaccine Information
Public Health Agency of Canada website page dedicated to information about COVID-19 vaccines – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
The Government of Canada published a 2-page outline of key information regarding vaccines.
Information for Parents & Families
- *NEW* An OFFLINE version of CAMH’s family course on Covid and Health is now available! To address unmet and emerging health needs of adults with intellectual and development disabilities. Improving health care communication, learning strategies to balance taking care of one’s own needs as a family caregiver with caregiving demands, and “expanding the menu” by helping our loved ones with a developmental disability rebuilt meaningful activities and routines, are some of the topics covered in the 1-video-a-week over 6 weeks. Find out more info from Laura at Laura.StJohn@camh.ca.
- Family Matters: Exploring the Impact of Employment Loss for People with an Intellectual Disability during the COVID-19 Pandemic (English)
Parent toolkit:
- Books Beyond Words has developed a series of wordless books that explain different scenarios you may experience during a pandemic: beating the virus, end of life care planning, a guide for families and carers when someone dies of covid-19, and mental health and daily routines during lockdown. You can download the books for free here.
Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules(AFIRM) has developed a website with tools for supporting individuals with Autism through uncertain times.
COVID-19 & Discrimination
COVID-19 has potentially disproportionate impacts on vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous and racialized peoples, older people living alone or in institutions, and low-income communities. Many of these vulnerable groups are more likely to have limited access to safe and inclusive housing, childcare, transportation, and secure employment.
People with disabilities also have higher incidences of chronic or co-occurring health conditions. Discrimination, including harassment against any persons or communities related to COVID-19, is prohibited when it involves a ground under the Human Rights Code, in the areas of services, housing, and employment, among others.
- The Library of Parliament has developed an overview of some of the challenges facing persons with disabilities in Canada during the pandemic, and the potential impact on the health-related and inclusion-related rights of people with disabilities.
- The Ontario Human Rights Commission has released an information resource on discrimination and COVID-19 and a policy statement on a human rights based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
People with disabilities have a right to accessible health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals have visitation bans. These bans are important safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. But, because of these bans, some hospitals are not allowing support persons, attendants and communication assistants to be with people with disabilities in hospital. In this way, visitation bans prevent some people with disabilities from getting equal access to health care.
COVID-19 & Mental Health
- We encourage you to look out for those around you and check in on someone if you notice significant attitude or behavioural shifts. If you do see significant changes and are worried about someone you love, Be There provides information on how to start a conversation and give support.
- Although we have had to reduce in-person visits with friends and family, it is still important that we stay connected with them virtually. Here are 15 different ways to stay connected that are meaningful and safe, shared by Inclusion BC.
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has tips, coping strategies, and resources to manage mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, check out CAMH’s Self-help booklet series. With the support of friends, family members, staff, and health care professionals, these 7 different guides are intended to help talk through feelings and make plans for staying well during this time.
- Here is a shorter 2 page tipsheet on how to take care of yourself if you are feeling worried from CAMH, and a one page infographic on what to do if you feel anxious, by Community Living BC.
- Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa from Bay Psychology has developed a COVID-19 workbook Tolerance for Uncertainly: A guide to accept your feelings, tolerate distress, and and thrive.
- The federal department of health launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness to connect Canadians with qualified mental health support workers.
Plain Language Information
- La famille compte: Répercussions de la perte d’emploi pendant la pandémie de la COVID-19 cheze les personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle (Français)
- Booking COVID Third Shot (porticonetwork.ca)
- Kory’s Story – Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Self-advocate COVID-19 guide and workbook, adapted from Opening Doors UK.
- ARCH Disability Law Centre has developed a plain language advocacy toolkit to help people with disabilities make sure a support person, attendant or communications assistant can be with you in hospital.
- CAMH’s Self-help booklet series provides 7 different guides to help talk through feelings and make plans for staying well during this time.
- Here is a 2 page tipsheet from CAMH on how to take care of yourself if you are feeling worried.
- Community Living BC created a one page infographic on what to do if you feel anxious.
- In collaboration with The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Healthcare Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (HCARDD) has developed easy-read guides about the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 & Discrimination
COVID-19 may have a larger impact on people with disabilities than the general public. They have limited access to safe and inclusive housing, childcare, transportation, and secure employment. People with disabilities also have more health problems that make it easier to catch COVID-19 or become really sick from the virus.
- ARCH Disability Law Centre has developed a plain language advocacy toolkit to help people with disabilities make sure a support person, attendant or communications assistant can be with you in hospital.
- Communication Disabilities Access Canada (CDAC) has developed a communication rights toolkit that explains your communication rights, provides tips on advocating for those rights, and has an accommodation request form you can bring to the hospital.
- Pandemic opened people’s eyes to inclusion issues — but will it lead to change for those with disabilities?
COVID-19 & Mental Health
- Be There provides information on how to start a conversation about mental health and support your loved one.
- Inclusion BC shared 15 different ways to stay connected with friends and family during the pandemic that are meaningful and safe.
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has tips, coping strategies, and resources to manage mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- CAMH’s Self-help booklet series provides 7 different guides to help talk through feelings and make plans for staying well during this time.
- Here is a 2 page tipsheet from CAMH on how to take care of yourself if you are feeling worried.
- Community Living BC created a one page infographic on what to do if you feel anxious.
- Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa from Bay Psychology has developed a COVID-19 workbook Tolerance for Uncertainly: A guide to accept your feelings, tolerate distress, and and thrive.
- The federal department of Health launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness to connect Canadians with qualified mental health support workers.
- The World Federation of the Deaf has information available in International Sign Language and other national Sign Languages.
- Canadian Assistive Technologies has put together a list of accessible platforms being offered free of charge during the COVID-19 outbreak.
COVID-19 & Employment
The Inclusive Workplace is an initiative to improve workplace inclusion for people with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder by addressing hiring and support needs during the pandemic. A new resource hub will be made available in the coming weeks to support people with a disability in finding employment.
Keep checking back as we add more accessible resources and information from trustworthy sources for families and self-advocates.
