#AdvocacyMatters: Answers and Access
November 12, 2021 / #AdvocacyMatters
In the twenty-one months since this pandemic began, every week, every day, and sometimes every hour seemed to bring new questions. And while COVID-19 has been difficult on everyone, it’s impossible to ignore the disproportional ways in which it has effected those living with disabilities. When schools shut down in-person learning and moved classes online, we pushed back to help students with disabilities receive the free and appropriate education to which they are entitled. As healthcare resources became scarce and emergency treatment plans were created, we fought to ensure that no Ohioan was denied care because of their disability. With vaccines being developed and deployed, a completely new set of questions and challenges came to light.
To make sure that clear and accurate information reached the communities we serve, we partnered with agencies all over the country to create videos that explain your right to access the vaccine. In most cases, if you want the vaccine you can get it. Nobody can stop you from receiving the vaccine because of your disability or because of any accommodations you may need, like having a support person come with you or having the vaccine brought to your home. In short, everyone should have accurate information about and equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
We need your help to share this information with your friends, families, and networks. The videos are available in both English and Spanish – both with closed captions and ASL interpretation – and will be available in more languages soon. By amplifying the facts around #VaxAccess, you can help build safer, better-informed communities. The pandemic isn’t over, but there are steps we can all take to make things just a little bit more normal. And because this #AdvocacyMatters, we won’t stop spreading the word.