The Center for START Services supports a network of START programs, teams, and communities across the United States. Sharing resources about COVID-19 reflects START’s mission to link systems in an effort to build capacity. This webpage provides information regarding the US outbreak of COVID-19 from multiple validated and diverse resources in one central location. When everyone has access to information, a common understanding is established, offering opportunities for positive outcomes. In an effort to improve access to resources, CSS staff will continue to update this resource page in the coming days and weeks. If you have additional information that should be included here, please contact CSS at start.iod@unh.edu  (last updated December 15, 2020).

Featured COVID-19 Resource Pages:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• American Academy of Developmental Medicine & Dentistry (AADMD) Resource Page
• American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Resource Page
• Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (HCARDD) Resources

Featured Articles & Resources:

• Georgetown Explores COVID-19’s Impact on Black Communities | GU President John DeGioia’s Facebook interview series recently featured Christopher King, chair of NHS’s Department of Health Systems Administration, who talked about the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, and his work and teaching at NHS on the importance of bridging health care and public health. | Watch Interview | Read More  

• Howard University Partners with Black Coalition Against COVID-19 and Community Organizations to Address the Health Needs in DC Community Read the Article

• United Nations COVID-19 Response - A Disability-Inclusive Response to COVID-19

• CDC - COVID-19 can sometimes be spread by airborne transmission (Updated October 5, 2020)

• American Journal of Psychiatry The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (download)

• CDC - New Web Page on How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask (instructions with pictures and plain language)

• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai COVID-19 and Autism: Tackling Social Skills for Children with Autism during Social Distancing

• AADMD COVID-19 Support Guidelines for Individuals with IDD During the Pandemic - People with IDD, have higher rates of complications and death due to Covid-19, when compared to the general population. Despite this risk, public health recommendations for this population are sparse and vary greatly from state-to-state. The AADMD believes there need to be clear guidelines applied nationally to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with IDD. To address this urgent need, AADMD developed this white paper
• AUCD Public Health is for Everyone toolkit

• CDC - Updated information is now available about People Who Need to Take Extra Precautions

• HCARDD - COVID-19 Self-help Booklet Series - The Self-help Booklet Series is for people with intellectual disabilities and can be used with the support of family members, friends, staff, and health care professionals. There is a how-to guide accompanying each booklet.  The booklets are intended to give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to talk through their feelings and make plans for staying well at this difficult time. 
• HCARDD - Meeting with your doctor through video - In this video, watch Julie as she visits her doctor using video technology, with the help of her support worker, Francis. Even though your doctor’s office isn't open now, you can still visit by telephone or video to ask questions about COVID-19 or other health issues.
• Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center - “A Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19” is an 8 part toolkit covering a variety of tips and information for self-advocates with IDD or other disabilities.
• Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) - COVID-19 Public Health Webinar Series 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
• Autism Society - Autism Society has created a COVID-19 Toolkit by Topic covering topics such as Mental Health, Modifying Routines, Lifestyle Supports, Education, Public Policy, and more
• COVID-19 Toolkit for DSPs - Resources to help DSPs take care of themselves during the Crisis
• CDC - COVID-19 in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
• National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals - COVID-19 Toolkit for DSPs - Resources to help DSPs take care of themselves during the crisis

  • Self Care for Direct Support Professionals in Crisis

  • Meditation for DSPs in Times in Stress

  • The Role of the DSP and the Coronavirus: Part One

  • The Role of the DSP and Coronavirus: Part Two

  • The Role of the DSP and Coronavirus: Part Three

  • The Role of the DSP and Coronavirus: Part Four

• YAI COVID-19 Database for People with I/DD, Caregivers, and Staff
• WHO - #HealthyAtHome - Looking after our mental health
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health - Protecting your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic - by Calliope Holingue, M. Daniele Fallin, Luke Kalb, Paul Nestadt And Elizabeth Stuart
• Dartmouth-Hitchcock - Mental Health Webinar Series - Heads UP: Coping through COVID-19
• Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science - new webpage designed to increase awarness about participation in clinical trials that includes, but is not exclusively focused on COVID-19
• Harvard School of Public Health - Health & Well-being during COVID-19
• Mental Health America - Mental Health And COVID-19 – Information And Resources
• Stanford University article on staying healthy while staying home
• Center for Positive Organizational Development at the University of Michigan -  "Thriving in Trying Times" an article on building relationships during social distancing, relieving anxiety and stress, adjusting to the remote environment and responding to the unexpected.
• University of Oxford -  Some Suggestions From The Oxford Anxiety Disorders And Trauma Group

• RADiANT People With Intellectual Disability And Mental Health/Behavioural Problems: Guidance On Covid-19 For Community Settings
• CDC - COVID-19 for People with Disabilities
• CDC - COVID-19 ASL Video Series
• HCARDD COVID-19 Resource Page - Information to support people with developmental disabilities and their families during this time.
• UNC Chapel Hill Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute - Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
• From the Center on Human Development at the University of Oregon

  • Virus Defense At Home - This is a guide for individual and family households. Use these simple cleaning tips to reduce the spread of germs at home. Each page can be printed and posted in a common area or room to remind family members to keep surfaces extra clean at this time. (Center on Human Development Unviversity of Oregon)

  • Talking to Your Child About Change - This story is to read with children and youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may be struggling to understand why their schedule is now different, in particular why they are no longer in school. Flexible thinking is emphasized and feelings are acknowledged. (Center on Human Development Unviversity of Oregon)

  • Talking About Change: A story about coronavirus - This story can be used to support individuals with disabilities who live in their family homes, foster homes or group homes to understand the current situation due to the new Coronavirus. Questions are provided to give readers opportunities to plan, prepare, and ask questions. Discussing the pictures may also help the individual process facts and feelings. (Center on Human Development Unviversity of Oregon)

• YAI COVID-19 Resources for People with I/DD, Caregivers, and Staff (searchable database)

• CDC/US Surgeon General How to Make Your own Face Covering
• WHO Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
• SAMHSA Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• HCARDD COVID-19 Information & Wellness
• American Psychological Association COVID-19 Resource Page

• NADSP COVID-19 ToolKit for DSPs - Resources for DSPs Taking Care of Themselves in Crisis

• Hesperian Health Guides Coronavirus Fact Sheet in 13 Languages (English, Español, Français, 中文, view all languages)

• Five Essential Tips for Communicating with Your Audience During COVID-19

• Care For Your Coronavirus Anxiety Resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertainty.

The resources listed below are primarily from the following sources:

• Centers for Disease Control (English) (Español)

• World Health Organization (English) (Español) (中文) (Français) (Русский) (العربية)

CDC Resources

• Workplace, School and Home Guidance

• A Framework for Mitigation 

• What You Should Know

• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities

• CDC Communication Resources

• Information for Health Care Professionals

• All updated information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Administration for Community Living

• Capacity Building Toolkit for including Aging & Disability Networks in Emergency Planning

• What do Older Adults and People with Disabilities Need to Know?

• ¿Qué deben saber los adultos mayores y las personas con discapacidad?

• All updated information from ACL can be found at https://acl.gov/COVID-19

Language Access Resources

Plain Language Information on COVID-19 from the Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)

• This 8-page booklet about the Coronavirus is written in plain language. It was created by and for people with developmental disabilities. It focuses on “need to know” information (not “nice to know” information). 

• Información de COVID-19 Por y Para Personas con Discapacidades

Talking Points - This app can help educators send text messages and communications to students and families in their home languages

Talking to Kids About Coronavirus: ASL and English Resources (American Society for Deaf Children Resources in ASL)

Coronavirus: Multilingual Resources for Schools

US Department of Justice - Effective communication with limited English proficient individuals increases the safety of the entire community, saves lives, and is consistent with your mission and the law. Tips and Tools for Reaching Limited English Proficient Communities in Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

Language Assistance Services at the CDC

• ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-232-4636.

• 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-696-6775.

• CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-877-696-6775.

• 주의: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 1-877-696-6775 번으로 전화해 주십시오.

• PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, maaari kang gumamit ng mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika nang walang bayad. Tumawag sa 1-877-696-6775.

• ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на русском языке, то вам доступны бесплатные услуги перевода. Звоните 1-877-696-6775.

• ملحوظة: إذا كنت تتحدث اذكر اللغة، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية تتوافر لك بالمجان. اتصل برقم .1-877-696-6775

• ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratis pou ou. Rele 1-877-696-6775.

• ATTENTION: Si vous parlez français, des services d’aide linguistique vous sont proposés gratuitement. Appelez le 1-877-696-6775.

• UWAGA: Jeżeli mówisz po polsku, możesz skorzystać z bezpłatnej pomocy językowej. Zadzwoń pod numer 1-877-696-6775.

• Se necessita destes serviços, contacte HHS através do número 1-877-696-6775.

• ATTENZIONE: In caso la lingua parlata sia l’italiano, sono disponibili servizi di assistenza linguistica gratuiti. Chiamare il numero 1-877-696-6775.

• ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen zur Verfügung. Rufnummer: 1-877-696-6775.

• 注意事項：日本語を話される場合、無料の言語支援をご利用いただけます。1-877-696-6775 まで、お電話にてご連絡ください。

• توجه: اگر به زبان فارسی گفتگو می کنید، تسهیلات زبانی بصورت رایگان برای شما فراهم می باشد. با .1-877-696-6775 تماس بگیرید

What You Need to Know About Coronavirus (in ASL)

Learn more on the CDC website

Resources for Clinicians

• Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI)

• Healthcare Infection Control Guidelines

• Healthcare Personnel with Potential COVID-19 Exposure

• Strategies for Optimizing Supply of N95 Respirators

• Clinical Care Guidance

• Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization

• Disposition of Non-Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19

• Interim Guidance for Collection and Submission of Postmortem Specimens from Deceased Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19, February 2020