News

COVID-19 support for people with disability, providers, carers and families

Information about COVID-19 vaccines for people with disability and people who work in the disability sector has been collated on the Department of Health website.

The Department of Health posted a video by Dr Lucas de Toca, First Assistant Secretary, National COVID-19 Vaccine Program Division, with COVID-19 booster advice for high risk communities.

There is also the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline on 1800 020 080. People with disability, their families and carers should choose Option 5, disability workers should choose Option 4. For information in a language other than English, choose Option 8. This is a free service. The Translating and Interpreting Service is also available on 131 450. For people who are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, call the National Relay Service on 133 677.

The Disability Gateway website sets out information and updates about the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. You can also access assistance from the Disability Gateway to make a booking to get your COVID-19 vaccine by contacting 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm AEDT / AEST.

COVID-19 vaccination: Disability provider alert 10 February 2023
The Department of Health has published a disability provider alert including:

 

Inclusion Australia has produced a number of COVID-19 resources

National Ethnic Disability Alliance has a page linking to useful resources for multicultural communities

First Peoples Disability Network has produced resources for First Nations communities

The Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) has produced a video Your right to the vaccine for people with intellectual disability, available via Youtube. The video is about making decisions about health care and vaccinations. The video and transcript can be accessed through the CID website. CID offers more information and tips about COVID in Easy Read on their COVID page. You can also find more helpful videos about COVID-19 on the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care YouTube.

Power in Culture and Ethnicity has created: ‘Forging a new normal for all’ video series
This video series was created with Victorian government funding from the Department of Family, Fairness and Housing. Episode 1 features Self Advocate Kian, sharing his thoughts on:

  • What to do when recovering from COVID-19?
  • the accessibility of COVID-19 information, and
  • what messages and advice he has for others to stay healthy and happy.

Self Advocacy Resource Unit produced this music video about getting vaccinated with funding from the Victorian Government:

National Disability Services has a COVID-19 Hub (nds.org.au) on their website.

Systemic work

DANA Snapshot of COVID-19 Advocacy Demand

This is a report on a brief snapshot taken of demand for disability advocacy services during the period of COVID-19 risk. The survey of advocacy organisations was conducted in late April to early May, and received responses from 35 organisations in total, almost all of which are members of DANA. The results of this snapshot survey drew attention to some worrying emerging issues. In some key areas demand has increased significantly and many organisations have not been able to meet this increased demand, in-part due to the sector already being at or over capacity.

DANA Snapshot of COVID-19 Advocacy Demand, ‘Insufficient capacity for increased demand’ – Survey Report

Lessons for Disaster Preparedness – Report on the impact of COVID-19 disaster management for people with disability and the advocacy sector, with preliminary advice for future disaster management.

In November 2020, DANA conducted a survey of disability advocacy organisations across the country. This report provides an analysis of the findings, (including an examination of urgent access issues and the critical role of advocacy) and also outlines priorities for future disaster planning and the need for planning to be inclusive of people with disability and their advocates.

DANA Report – Lesson for Disaster Preparedness from 2020

Joint statements and letters in relation to COVID-19

AdvoKit Website and Newsletter

AdvoKit is here to help people get the advocacy resources they need to support people with disability during the pandemic and beyond.

This is a simple, pop-up website designed to help you get the resources you need right now, so that you can get on with the job of advocating for and supporting people with disability.

We’re writing summaries of key resources to help you get the gist of what government and community organisations are doing to support people with disability. And we’re making recommendations on how you can use the information to help people get what they need.

This website has been developed through a partnership between the Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) and Inclusion Australia. We’re working together and welcome your feedback on the website and the approach we’re taking.

To receive the Advokit Newsletter, register for updates on the website or subscribe here

Information and links compiled in 2020

The Australian Government’s Department of Health website is the central source for up-to-date information and advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you have questions, you can call the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For an overview of whole-of-government information and responses, visit australia.gov.au

State and Territory governments are also providing detailed information and updates:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Visit the ACT Government Health Directorate website:  Latest information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the ACT

New South Wales (NSW) – Visit the NSW Government Health website: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information, advice and resources

Northern Territory (NT) – Visit the NT Government Department of Health website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest Northern Territory specific updates

Queensland (Qld)  – Visit the Queensland Government website: COVID-19 coronavirus Health alerts

South Australia (SA) – Visit the SA Health website: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response and Latest Updates

Tasmania (Tas) – Visit the Tasmanian Government website: Coronavirus information and resources

Victoria (Vic) – Visit the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services Information, updates and advice about the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Western Australia (WA) – Visit the Government of Western Australia Healthy WA webpage on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Other good sources of information

healthdirect – You can also find information and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker on the healthdirect website, which provides Australian health advice.

Raising Children (the Australian Parenting website): Coronavirus (COVID-19) and children in Australia

Ethnolink Language Services has collated a Multi-Lingual Resource Library of links to translated resources available from Department of Health, state governments and the World Health Organisation.

SBS has also created a webpage where you find News and information about coronavirus (COVID-19) in 63 languages.

International travel –  Refer to advice for travellers on the Department of Health website or visit the Smartraveller website for advice and to subscribe to updates.

International information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the World Health Organization (WHO) website, including:

 

Find further information and resources on the following pages: