May
2020

Updated COVID-19 Emergency Information

categories: Accessibility, Community, Emergency Preparedness, Health, Home

Links to current information about COVID-19 virus. This page is updated with new information.


Apr
2020

Wheelchair and Assistive Technology Users ATTENTION: PRECAUTIONS for COVID-19

categories: Emergency Preparedness Resources

If you push a manual wheelchair or use other types of assistive technology (AT), there are unique precautions you should take related to hand washing. COVID-19 can survive on the surfaces of your wheelchair or AT which you come in frequent contact with, such as the handrims. Any virus that might be on your hands is transferred to your handrims as you push your wheelchair.

WC AT COVID-19 Precautions 1mb 2020-03-27 0745 (pdf)

Information courtesy of Peter Axelson MSME, ATP, RET Manual wheelchair user and leader of Beneficial Designs.

 


Apr
2020

Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center (CANDO) COVID-19 ASD Resources and Information (pdf)

categories: Autism, Emergency Preparedness, Health

At CANDO, we are acutely aware that unexpected changes require thoughtful support for persons with ASD or NDD. We have put together a list of resources to help with explaining COVID-19, ideas for creating supportive schedules for the day, and various activities to support positive interactions and successful engagement, including indoor movement activities! Please note that it is important to consider the youth’s developmental level when applying these strategies.

ASD Resources


Mar
2020

Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Virus Information

categories: Emergency Preparedness, Health, Parenting

Important information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).  Please read and share with others.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Read this important information from the CDC about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Please share with others.

Symptoms  (pdf)

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Center for Disease Control (CDC) Stop the Spread of Germs

Please read and share this important information to ways to stop the spread of germs (pdf). Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19.

*** Please also read the COVID-19 information on the CDC site

 

 


Feb
2020

Making Documents Accessible

categories: Emergency Preparedness Resources

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Do you want people with disabilities to read your writing? You should make it accessible.

  • Describe pictures in your documents to help people who have trouble seeing. Make your descriptions easy to understand.
  • Newer versions of Microsoft Word have an accessibility checker. Run it to see if you need to change anything.
  • Write short, clear sentences.
  • When you are making PDFs, websites, or printed documents, use fonts that are easy to read. These fonts include Trebuchet, Verdana, and Tahoma. They are good because you can tell some letters like capital I and lowercase L apart.
  • If you can, print documents in Braille. Many blind people need Braille to read printed documents.

Aug
2019

Little Lobbyists

categories: Advocacy, Parenting

 

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I am the parent of a child with a disability. She has a lot of medical needs too.

Kids who have a lot of medical needs can have a nurse in their home. MassHealth approves this service.

Parents have a hard time finding nurses. There are not enough nurses working in homes.

Nurses who work in homes make a lot less money than nurses in the hospital. This is a big problem. 

The campaign started in April 2016 to help parents find nurses at home. 

Nurses at home keep kids: 

  1. Safe
  2. Healthier
  3. Out of the hospital
  4. Attending school
  5. Being in the community

 

If you want to learn more, email manursingcampaign@gmail.com.


Jul
2019

Tips On Helping Someone In An Emotional Crisis

categories: Crisis Prevention

I have taught a few different programs that teach people how to handle crisis situations.  I have also been the supervisor on duty when serious incidents have occurred while working at a children’s home in NH.   These experiences have proved to be valuable.

·       Step one starts before the crisis.  Think of what you like to do when you are happy.  If you do these activities when you are upset, it may help you feel better.

  • Examples:
    • Taking a walk
    • Taking space in another room
    • Using an iPad or other smart device
    • Knitting
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Listening to music
    • And so many more

·       Get away from what is upsetting you if you can.

·       Use your coping activities to help ground yourself.

·       Do a self-check.  Are your basic needs met?

·       Check in with a friend.

 

References And Resources:

·     http://www.mandtsystem.com/

·     https://www.crisisprevention.com/

·     http://www.safetycare.com/en/


Jul
2019

Getting Ready for Emergencies with Persons with Disabilities

categories: Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Preparedness Resources, Parenting

"Woman hugging child"

Emergencies happen often. A family member might get badly hurt. Your home might lose power. You may need to leave your home because of a storm. Emergencies are hard for my sister, Emily. Emily has Down syndrome and autism.

There are ways to prepare for emergencies ahead of time. There are also ways to deal with emergencies when they happen.

Tips on how to get ready for emergencies ahead of time:

  1. Write Down Your Routine. Make a list of your family’s daily routine. Keeping a routine is often important for people with autism. It is helpful to have this written down to help your family keep up with it in an emergency. More information on autism and routines here.
  2. Ask for Help. Make a list of people who are able to help your family. One way of doing this is a phone tree. You will just need to call one person. That person might be able to help your family. If not, then it will be that person’s job to call the next person on the call list. These are phone tree templates.
  3. Pack a Bag. It is helpful to have an emergency bag packed if you need to leave home in a hurry. Download a packing list for people with disabilities. 

Tips on how to deal with emergencies when they happen: 

  1. Be Patient. Emergencies are stressful. People might act differently than usual. Try to understand how yourself or your loved one with disabilities might be feeling. Also, try to think about why people might be acting certain ways.
  2. Try to Have Fun. Try to find ways to include fun in whatever you might be dealing with. For example, if the lights go out—you might build a fort with sheets. Sit inside with flashlights.
  3. Be Helpful. It can be hard to sit still when something bad happens. It might be good to help others if it is safe.

 

For more info on getting ready for emergencies for yourself or your loved ones with disabilities, please visit: the Center for Disease Control Emergency Preparedness website or the UMass Medical Emergency Preparedness and Response website.