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Local:

Local:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Local:

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM):

• Letter to Business Leaders Amid COVID-19: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/Business-Leader-Letter-F.pdf
  • In this letter, DRM and the Maryland Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL) urge business leaders to make reasonable accommodations in order that Marylanders with disabilities have equal access to their goods and services amid the coronavirus pandemic.

National:

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN):

• Statement on Elections Accessibility during the COVID-19 Pandemic: https://www.ndrn.org/resource/statement-on-elections-accessibility-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
• Applying HHS’s Guidance for States and Health Care Providers on Avoiding Disability-Based Discrimination in Treatment Rationing: https://www.tascnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Guidance-to-States-Hospitals_FINAL.pdf
  • This guidance elaborates on the requirements in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Bulletin and is endorsed by 90 national disability and health advocacy organizations.

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF):

• Statement on Preventing Discrimination in the Treatment of COVID-19 Patients: https://dredf.org/the-illegality-of-medical-rationing-on-the-basis-of-disability/
  

The Northwest ADA Center:

• • Emergency and Disaster Response: http://nwadacenter.org/news/emergency-and-disaster-response-ada-lessons-learned-1
  • Guidance Sheet on Accessible Drive-Thru-Medical Sites: http://nwadacenter.org/factsheet/accessibility-drive-thru-medical-sites

The Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities:

• Do You Know Your Rights with COVID-19?: https://www.ucucedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Fact-sheet-for-PWD-002.jpg
• Safeguard Against Disability Discrimination During COVID-19: https://www.ucucedd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Safeguards-against-Discrimination-flyer-for-healthcare-professionals_ThinkEquitable.jpg

Last Updated: May 26, 2020

Local:

Maryland Department of Health (MDH):

• Access MDH Opens COVID-19 Vaccination Support Call Center: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/Vaccine-Support-Center.pdf
  • The Maryland Department of Health has opened the COVID-19 Vaccination Support Call Center, a telephone-based support line and appointment system that is designed to assist those without internet access or who can’t use web-based systems, including people with disabilities. The center is open seven days a week, 7 am to 10 am. Visit covidlink.maryland.gov for more information.
• Access to Support for Patients with Disabilities in Hospital Settings: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/05.11.2020-MDOD-MDH-Notice-Patients-with-Disabilities-in-Hospital-Settings.pdf
  • A joint departmental guidance from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland Development Disabilities Administration (DDA) regarding requirements for hospital visits and support for people with disabilities. Related: Hospital Visitation Policies for Individuals with Disabilities
• COVID-19 Information and Resource Page: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

The Governor’s Office of The Deaf & Hard of Hearing (GODHH):

• VIDEO SERIES – COVID-19 FAQs: https://odhh.maryland.gov/COVID19FAQ/?fbclid=IwAR34w3OHLmhENsV_tvV47Ppo-w2RGpxLbEXfxSSgnKM1XwKORIhDzz3vaxU
  • You can access over 70 FAQs regarding COVID-19 in American Sign Language (ASL) at the Governor’s Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s website. Topics that are covered include education, eviction, masks, mental health, senior citizens, testing, and more. This collection of videos was developed to provide accessible information about COVID-19 and resources for the state’s Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA):

• COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities: Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf
  • En Español: Espanol-Plain-Language-Information-on-Coronavirus.pdf
• Waiver Changes, Resources, and Policy Updates: https://dda.health.maryland.gov/Pages/DDA_COVID-19_Information.aspx

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC):

• COVID-19 Information and Resource Page: https://www.md-council.org/covid-19/

National:

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN):

• Dedicated COVID-19 Page: Fighting for Disability Rights During the Pandemic: https://www.ndrn.org/issues/covid-19/

Center for Public Representation (CPR):

• COVID-19 Information and Resource Page: https://medicaid.publicrep.org/feature/covid-19/
  • CPR has created a web page on COVID-19, with information on the COVID-19 legislation and resources.

Rooted in Rights (RR):

• COVID-19 Information and Resource Page: https://rootedinrights.org/covid-19/
  • Rooted in Rights, a program at Disability Rights Washington, has assembled a page with pieces that are part of a series on perspectives from disabled and chronically ill people regarding COVID-19.

Disability Rights New York (DRNY):

• VIDEO – What You Should Know About COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaNTz2YPFZ4&
  • Disability Rights New York, the New York P&A, produced this “What You Should Know About COVID-19” video with captions available in Spanish and Simplified Chinese, with the target audience being individuals with disabilities living in congregate care settings.

National Health Law Program (NHeLP):

• Factsheet on trends in COVID-19-related changes to HCBS 1915(c) waivers: https://healthlaw.org/resource/covid-19-changes-to-hcbs-using-appendix-k-approval-trends/

Self-Determination Channel:

• VIDEO – “Coronavirus Tips for Staying Healthy…for People w/ Develop. Disabilities” (SDC): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Yl-BesvDw

Last Updated: February 22, 2021

We understand that as a parent of a child with a disability, you have more questions than answers about the nation’s special education services. As advocates for people with disabilities, we want to do whatever we can to help. Check out some of the resources we’ve highlighted below for parents of children with disabilities:

LOCAL:

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE):

• Tips for Supporting Engagement for Students with Disabilities through Alternative Service Delivery Models: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/Tips-for-Supporting-Engagement-for-Students-with-Disabilities-through-Alternative-Service-Delivery-ModelsSept2020.pdf
  • The Alternative Service Delivery Model (ASDM) refers to the school system’s service delivery model while we are in virtual, blended or small group learning. For additional guidance, review this FAQ for Parents on the ASDM and information from the September 9th presentation by HCAS, Howard County SECAC, Howard County Public Schools, Disability Rights MD on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VZz-m7PMJKE
• Serving Children with Disabilities Under IDEA During COVID-19 Closures: http://marylandpublicschools.org/20-01-ServingchildrenunderCOVID-19Pandemic.pdf

Disability Rights Maryland (DRM):

• IEP Modification/Amendment or Individualized Continuity of Learning Plans: Preserving The Rights You and Your Child Have Under the Law (#1): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/drmbriefguide.no2revised.pdf
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRM-2nd-Guide-for-SPED-COVID-19-REVISED-Spanish-RZ.pdf
• Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Guide for Parents (#2): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/drmparentltr.covid19.pdf
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRM-SPED-COVID-19-Guidance-Spanish-RZ.pdf
• Special Communication with the IEP Team and Data Collection During the Pandemic: A Brief Guide for Parents (#3): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRMParentGuide3.pdf
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/SpanishDRMParentGuide3.pdf
• Sample Behavioral Observation Log: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRM_Sample-Behavioral-and-Academic-Logs.docx
• Special Transition Planning and Special Education Services for Students Exiting School: A Brief Guide for Parents (#4): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRMParentGuide4.pdf 
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/SpanishDRMParentGuide4-1.pdf
• Compensatory Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Brief Guide for Parents (#5): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRMParentGuide5.pdf
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/SpanishDRMParentGuide5.pdf
• Extended School Year Services: A Brief Guide for Parents (#6): https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/DRMParentGuide6.pdf
• Sample Maryland State Department of Education IDEA Complaint: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/SampleMSDEComplaint.docx
  • En Español: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/Spanish-State-Complaint-sample-form.docx
• Disability Rights Maryland and Parent’s Place of Maryland Collaborative Guide to Special Education for Maryland Parents and Families: https://disabilityrightsmd.org/wp-content/uploads/CollaborativeGuidetoSpecialEducationforMarylandParentsandFamilies2021.pdf

Decoding Dyslexia MD:

• Maryland School District Continuity of Learning Plans: https://padlet.com/decodingdyslexiamd/MDSchoolDistrictsCOL

NATIONAL:

National Disability Rights Network (NDRN):

• COVID-19 and Education of Students with Disabilities Resources: https://www.ndrn.org/resource/covid-19-and-education-of-students-with-disabilities-resources/
• Statement on Serving Students with Disabilities During COVID-19 Outbreak: https://www.ndrn.org/resource/statement-on-serving-students-with-disabilities-during-covid-19-outbreak/

U.S. Department of Education (Department):

• Supplemental Fact Sheet
  Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool…While Serving Children with Disabilities: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/faq/rr/policyguidance/Supple%20Fact%20Sheet%203.21.20%20FINAL.pdf

Last Updated: April 7, 2021