ED Discharge Protocol
Created by New York Disability Advocates
In order to ensure the health and safety of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), this guidance outlines the responsibilities of both the residential provider and the emergency department (ED) in the collaboration necessary when an ED seeks to discharge a patient who lives in an OPWDD certified residence.
Hospitalization Discharge Protocol
Created by New York Disability Advocates
In order to ensure the health and safety of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), this guidance outlines the responsibilities of both the residential provider and the hospital in the collaboration necessary when a hospital seeks to discharge a patient who lives in an OPWDD certified residence.
Free picture stories and illustrated guides to support people with learning disabilities and autism through the coronavirus pandemic.
Coping with Coronavirus
Created by Books Beyonds Words
To gain more insight into this situation, on 24 March the Academic Collaborative ‘Sterker op eigen benen’ of Radboud university medical center made an on-line registration system available. The registration system was commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The preliminary findings of the registration system are presented in this fact sheet.
COVID-19 Registration Data
Created by ‘Sterker op eigen benen’ of Radboud University Medical 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.
A Self-Advocate’s Guide to COVID-19
Created by Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center
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. In addition, Autism Society has an informational Facebook Live series on COVID-19.
COVID-19 Toolkit
Created by Autism Society
My Health Passport
Created by Illinois Council Developmental Disabilities
“My Health Passport” is a tool to use for every person who has a developmental disability for hospitalizations, appointments, etc. Often patients arrive with no baseline information, special accommodation, recent photo, recent meds, etc. — with this form, agencies, care homes and families can maintain several copies, in the event you need to get to the hospital quickly and this decreases the amount of time needed for health care professionals to obtain timely and accurate information. Some care facilities bring “binders” but this has proven not to be very helpful in the acute care setting.
Adult Care Facility COVID-19 IPC Checklist
Created by New York State Department of Health
The New York State Department of Health (“Department”) has identified Adult Care Facilities (ACFs) to be vulnerable places for spread of COVID-19. It is imperative that ACFs take steps to prevent introduction, recognize staff and residents with possible COVID-19, and minimize transmission within the facility.
Below is the NYSDOH COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) preparedness checklist. This tool is intended as a self-assessment and provides ACFs with all the IPC elements that need to be in place both before and after recognition of a confirmed, suspect, or possible COVID-19 case in the facility.
PPE & Other Preventative Measures
Created by Lab Manager
View and print this visual guide which outlines PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for Healthcare Professionals, Preventative Measures for the General Public and Additional Precautions for Individuals at High Risk.
ED Transfer Form
Created by The Right Care Now Project
Many caregivers are prevented from accompanying adults with special needs into the Emergency Department (ED) — a policy AADMD advocates to change soon. This Transfer Form is a useful tool in the meantime. This COVID-specific Transfer Form is designed for people with IDD (Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities) for use in the Emergency Department. this info transfer form gives all the info the ED providers need, in the format they can best use it. It’s a fillable pdf and can be partially filled out prior to an emergency transfer.
Coding Guidelines
Created by The CDC
There are ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19. Please download the official Coding and Reporting Guidelines from the CDC below.
COVID-19 Incubation Period
Submitted by Stephen Sulkes, MD, AADMD President
According to a study by the Annals of Internal Medicine, the median incubation period was estimated to be 5.1 days (95% CI, 4.5 to 5.8 days), and 97.5% of those who develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days (CI, 8.2 to 15.6 days) of infection. These estimates imply that, under conservative assumptions, 101 out of every 10 000 cases (99th percentile, 482) will develop symptoms after 14 days of active monitoring or quarantine.
Disability Resources
Gathered by AAHD, Created by multiple organizations.
Lurie Institute for Disability Policy: Important Things to Know about COVID-19
New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative Tip Sheet: Providing Access through Sign Language & Text for Low Vision & Tactile Communicators During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Green Mountain Self Advocates: Plain Language Fact Sheet on COVID-19
UNC Child Development Institute: Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users Precautions for COVID-19
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Spina Bifida Association: Coronavirus (COVID-19): What People with Spina Bifida Need to Know
COVID-19 Disability Form(to be completed by or for an individual with intellectual disabilities or communication difficulties)
Recommendations from County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors
State Policies & Medicaid
Gathered by AAHD, Created by multiple organizations.
CMS: Coverage and Benefits Related to COVID-19/Medicaid and CHIP
CMS: Medicaid Telehealth
Kaiser Family Foundation: State Data and Policy Actions to Address Coronavirus
Kaiser Family Foundation: Medicaid Emergency Authority Tracker
Kaiser Family Foundation: How Can Medicaid Enhance State Capacity to Respond to COVID-19?
National Academy for State Health Policy: States Use Federal Waivers to Expand Health Care Resources to Confront COVID-19
National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services: List of Resources (includes State Specific Info)
National Health Law Program: Overview of the Medicaid-Related Provisions of the Coronavirus Response Packages
National Health Law Program: COVID-19 Changes to HCBS Using Appendix K: Approval Trends
Advocacy Resources
Gathered by AAHD, Created by multiple organizations.
HHS Office for Civil Rights Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (March 28, 2020)
Disability Rights Education Defense Fund: Know Your Rights to Medical Care – COVID-19 (English/Spanish)
Disability Rights Education Defense Fund: Know Your Rights to Medical Care – COVID-19 (English/Chinese)
Coalition letter (joined by AAHD) to Hospitals Providing Guiding Principles for Avoiding Disability Discrimination in Treatment Rationing (April 3, 2020)
Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program: Complaint with HHS Office for Civil Rights (March 24, 2020)
Center for Health Care Strategies: Stemming the Risk of Disability Bias During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Law Journal Article by Samuel R. Bagenstos: “May Hospitals Withhold Ventilators from COVID-19 Patients with Pre-Existing Disabilities?”
International Disability Alliance: 10 Recommendations toward a Disability-Inclusive COVID19 Response
Governmental Resources
Gathered by AAHD, Created by multiple organizations.
Centers for Disease Control: People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
Centers for Disease Control: ASL Videos on COVID-19
Administration for Community Living (ACL): COVID-19 Webpage
ACL: Q&A for Older Adults and People with Chronic Health ConditionsNational Institutes of Health