COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities

The Maryland Department of Disabilities has collected numerous Federal and State resources specific to COVID-19 and individuals with disabilities. This information will be updated as additional guidance and information becomes available. Found a resource we missed? Please forward to info.mdod@maryland.gov and we will review and add if appropriate.

GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE

• Hogan Administration's COVID-19 Response
• Maryland Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
  

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TRANSPORTATION

Only essential travel is allowed.  For public transportation, that means taking trips to work, hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, food distribution centers, schools, to provide care for family members, and other similar destinations.   This applies to both WMATA and MTA and fixed routes as well as paratransit.

• WAMATA News
  
• MTA Coronavirus Information
  

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EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS

Supported Workers and Job Coaches should be considered Essential Staff:

If you are an individual with a disability who previously received SSI or SSDI and lost your job as a result of COVID-19, call the Social Security Administration to request expedited reinstatement. Note that all SSA offices are closed, so contact must be made via phone or online.

• SSA Coronavirus Information
  
• Employment from the Supported Employment Leadership Network
• Workplace Safety information from U.S. Department of Labor
• Maryland Chamber of Commerce compiled resourcesRecording: Webinar with MD Department of Health for Businesses
• Slides: Forensic Challenges in Determining Cause of Death
• MD Business Express: Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Business
• MD Labor and Commerce
  

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HEALTHCARE

• Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet
• CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• Coronavirus Tracker from Kaiser Family Foundation
•  Guidance for Administration for Community Living
• Secretary Azar Announces Historic Expansion of Telehealth Access to Combat COVID-19
  

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MENTAL HEALTH

• Maryland Department of Health: Coronavirus updates
• Maryland Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health
• SAMHSA Updates
  

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HOUSING

• ACL - Administration for Community Living
• Interim Guidance for Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness 
• Guidance for Retirement Communities and Independent Living: (CDC Guidance)
• Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities (Interim Guidance)
• Developmental Disabilities Administration
  

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EDUCATION

• US Department of Education Coronavirus Fact Sheet
  
• Education Development Center - Resources for COVID-19 
• Office of Civil Rights Fact Sheet:
• Maryland Department of Disabilities Resource list for Transitioning Youth
  

FOOD

• Maryland Food Banks
  
• Summer meals locations
  
  

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OTHER

Television:

On March 13, 2020, a national emergency was declared concerning the coronavirus outbreak.  The FCC has rules requiring televised emergency information to be accessible.  See the below links for some helpful resources about accessible televised emergency information:  

• Consumer Guide:  
  
• American Sign Language Video  
  
• Detailed Public Notice about the obligation to make televised emergency information accessible  
  

If you have specific complaints about accessibility, please contact DRO at (202) 418-2518 (voice), (844) 432-2275 (American Sign Language video support direct line), or dro@fcc.gov.  You may also file a complaint online by visiting the FCC Consumer Complaint Center website.

For general information, visit FCC Accessible Emergency Information webpage.  For specific questions, please contact Debra Patkin, Attorney Advisor, Disability Rights Office (DRO), Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 870-5226 or Debra.Patkin@fcc.gov.

 ADA

• What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19

CDC

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Checklist: Older Persons
• Disinfecting Your Facility if Someone is Sick Saturday, March 21, 2020
• Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings Friday, March 20, 2020
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations Friday, March 20, 2020
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Friday, March 20, 2020
• Information on drug and medication safety while children are at home
  

Child Care

Child Care Availability for Essential Personnel Only

Beginning Thursday, March 25, 2020, child care programs in Maryland will only be permitted to serve essential personnel as defined by the Governor's Executive Order. Designated essential personnel may find child care programs using LOCATE: Child Care, a free service available by phone Monday - Friday at 877-261-0060 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Specialized services for parents of children with special needs, as well as Spanish language, are also available on these platforms.