According to the Australian Department of Health fact sheet What you need to know, the people at most risk of serious infection are:
- people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer)
- elderly people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as they have higher rates of chronic illness
- people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions
- very young children and babies*
- people in group residential settings
- people in detention facilities.
These at risk populations will include many people with disability.
The Disability Information Helpline provides information and referrals for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Helpline can help families, carers, support workers and services, too.
The Department of Social Services has collated COVID-19 Information and support for people with disability and carers.
The Australian Government has produced Easy Read fact sheets: Coronavirus: What is it? and 5 things to do right now
For National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants:
You can visit the National Disability Insurance Agency’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and support page to finding
- Information for participants, including FAQs on Your health and safety, Your Plan, Using your budget and Support workers and you
- Information translated into languages including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese.
- Auslan videos
The Agency has published two Easy Read documents:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) information (21 pages)
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) and changes to how the NDIS works (32 pages)
The Agency has also recently created a number of short Animations, on different topics and frequently asked questions:
- Will my plan review be different to last time?
- I need to use my plan funding differently
- My plan is about to end
- Tips for your phone planning meeting
- My family usually care for me, but now they can’t, what should I do?
- My core support funding will not meet my needs, and I have funding in my other plan budgets
- How else can I use my plan funds flexibly?
- Finding support workers
- My regular support workers can’t deliver services to me
- I have a significant or urgent change in circumstances, and my plan no longer meets my needs
- I’m worried about getting the services I need
CID (Council for Intellectual Disability) in New South Wales has produced Easy Read guides on Viruses and staying healthy (6 pages) and Staying safe from Coronavirus (4 pages).
The Growing Space has produced an Easy Read guide to explain CoronaVirus and ways to prepare and stay safe. (5 pages)
Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has published an Easy English update on CoronaVirus (10 pages)
Advocacy for Inclusion has created two Easy English documents:
- What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)? How Can I Stay Safe and Healthy? (12 pages)
- Self-Isolation – What does it mean? (9 pages)
IDRS (Intellectual Disability Rights Service) has produced a number of Easy Read Fact Sheets. In this video Jeffrey explains some of the new Government rules:
Down Syndrome Australia has created an Easy Read guide (11 pages) and factsheet (2 pages), which can be downloaded on their Coronavirus information and Down syndrome page, where you can also find links to other relevant resources.
Access Easy English had made a number of resources available:
- What is Coronavirus? fact sheet (8 pages)
- Look after yourself fact sheet (14 pages)
- Look for the signs poster
For more resources, including posters, visit the Access Easy English website.
Photosymbols has published a number of posters with simple advice about Coronavirus which can be accessed for free:
There are video updates created for Auslan users:
Deaf Australia has produced Auslan videos available on their Vimeo channel
Expression Australia are providing regular updates for the Deaf community on the Expression Australia website as well as on the Expression Australia Facebook page.
Queensland Disability Network has created some useful resources:
IDEAS links to useful information and resources on this Coronvirus News page, and there are information officers you can call on 1800 029 904 or chat to online at www.ideas.org.au. You can also ask questions by texting 0458 296 602)
Every Australian Counts links to a number of useful resources on this page of Emergency information for NDIS participants and families about the Coronavirus.
Advocacy for Inclusion has released a podcast called Staying Connected to help listeners understand COVID-19.
Reasonably and Necessary: Making Sense of the NDIS is a podcast series by the Summer Foundation, hosted by Dr George Taleporos. The latest series is focused on “Staying safe during COVID-19”.
Disability Services Consulting – COVID-19 resources for people with disability
Blind Citizens Australia have information for people with visual impairments, including handwashing advice.They are also running daily Happy Hours on Facebook for people who are blind or vision impaired to connect virtually. You do not need to be a BCA member to participate. This is an opportunity to reduce social isolation and connect with others.
The First Peoples Disability Network Australia has created a website with resources for First Nations people with disability They include videos about self-care, social distancing, changes to the NDIA, and more.
Please email Siobhan (policy [at] dana.org.au) if you find any errors, or would like to suggest any useful advice or tools that you’ve found or to share any resources that your organisation has developed.
For related information visit our other pages:
- COVID-19 information and resources
- Resources for organisations
- Resources for working from home
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Systemic needs during COVID-19