COVID-19 and People with Disabilities
COVID-19 and People with Disabilities
Even in a crisis, people with disabilities have the right to live, work, learn, and access their community without discrimination. Are unable to access critical information? Do you have questions about your legal rights during this time? Do you need to speak with an attorney about a disability-related legal issue?
Watch Now! Available in English and en Español.
People With Disabilities Can Access the COVID-19 Vaccine / Personas con discapacidad tienen acceso a la vacuna del COVID-19
People with disabilities have the right to access the Covid-19 vaccine. In most cases, if you want to get the vaccine, you can. No one can keep you from getting it just because you have a disability or need extra help. If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing the vaccine in NH, go to https://drcnh.org/covid-19/ or call us at (603) 228-0432 for assistance.
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Schedule Your Appointment Today
State's COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Clinics are Back and Available to Individuals Who Are Homebound
The state program to provide access to vaccines for individuals who are homebound has resumed. To make an appointment for a homebased COVID-19 vaccine or a booster dose, go to https://www.on-sitemedservices.com/vaccination-map or call (603) 826-6500. Vaccination clinics and homebased appointments usually book out a week or two in advance.
If you have trouble accessing a COVID-19 vaccine, go to drcnh.org/covid-19 or call us at (603) 228-0432 for assistance.
Know Your Rights
People with disabilities are more vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 as many have fragile health situations, receive school-based supports and services, depend on direct care staff for support with activities of daily living, and live in congregate settings where the risk of exposure is greater. However, even in a crisis, people with disabilities have the right to live, work, learn, and access their community without discrimination.
Read our full statement on Covid-19 and people with disabilities
Special Education and COVID-19
Children with disabilities are among the most vulnerable students in the COVID-19 public health crisis. Students with disabilities across the state have missed significant instructional time as well as related services such as counseling, speech language, occupational, and other therapies.
Learn More:
- Special Education and COVID-19: drcnh.org/issue-areas/childrens-issues/education/special-education-covid-19
- Your Special Education Rights: drcnh.org/issue-areas/childrens-issues/education/special-education
Parents who have concerns about a child’s access to special education services can contact us to speak with an attorney free of charge.
Voting and COVID-19
Individuals with disabilities have the right to cast their vote privately and independently whether in-person or by absentee ballot.
Learn about your rights: drcnh.org/issue-areas/voting/drcnh.org/issue-areas/voting/voting-rights-covid-19
If you have questions or believe your voting rights have been violated, you can contact us to speak with an attorney free of charge.
Do you live, work, or have a loved one in a facility?
We need to hear from you about how institutions throughout the state are managing the impact of COVID-19.
- Are staff being careful to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer? Are they practicing social distancing (6 feet away) when possible?
- Are they wearing protective gear when caring for someone who is ill?
- Are there are staffing shortages at the facility?
- Do you have access to medications, food, and other necessary items?
- Do you have ways to communicate with friends, family and others, even if in-person visiting is limited?
- Are you being abused or neglected, including extreme isolation, lack of human contact, and/or over–medicated?
Additional Information on Disability and COVID-19
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[resource] => New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services: COVID-19
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[resource] => Parent Information Center NH Covid-19 and Special Education – What NH Families Need to Know
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[2] => Array
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[resource] => Reaching Higher NH-Remote Learning Resources
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[resource] => NH Department of Education Question and Answers (March 30, 2020)
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Information and Resources - New Hampshire Specific
NH COVID-19 Hotline
Call 2-1-1 with questions or concerns related to COVID-19
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[resource] => AmeriHealth Caritas New Hampshire
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[resource] =>
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[resource] =>
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Information and Resources - New Hampshire Managed Care Organization COVID-19 Websites
If you have questions regarding your health care coverage and you use one of NH’s three Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), please see their COVID-19 specific websites below:
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[0] => Array
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[resource] => Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus (Covid-19)
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[1] => Array
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[resource] =>
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[2] => Array
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[resource] => National Disability Rights Network’s Know Your Rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic Video Series
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[3] => Array
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[resource] => SARTAC Self Advocacy and Beyond: Plain Language Information on COVID-19
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[4] => Array
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[resource] => National Health Law Program Coronavirus Resource Page
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[5] => Array
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[resource] => Communication First’s COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit
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[6] => Array
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[resource] => Green Mountain Self-Advocates: COVID-19 Information By and For People with Disabilities
)
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Information and Resources - National
Contact Us
If You Need Help
Contact us if you have a disability and you wish to speak with an attorney about a disability-related legal issue.