Building Back Better: Toward a disability-inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post COVID-19 world

"Some people with disabilities have severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19 due to underlying medical conditions, if they live in a group setting, or because of systemic health and social inequities. CDC recommends that all people age 5 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Adults with disabilities are less likely to report hesitancy about getting vaccinated; yet, are more likely to report experiencing difficulties obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine than adults without a disability. It is critical to ensure that people with disabilities are able to access COVID-19 vaccines to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilitiesexternal icon. In the United States, 1 in 4 adults has a disability.¹ Many people will experience a disability at some point during their lives. Disabilities may include difficulty with walking or climbing stairs; hearing; seeing; or concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

Although the term “people with disabilities” sometimes refers to a single population, this is a diverse group of people with a wide range of needs and abilities. Two people with the same type of disability can be affected in very different ways. Some disabilities may be hidden or not easy to see.

Many Adults with Disabilities Report Difficulty Getting Vaccinated

A recent CDC study found that adults with disabilities were more likely than adults without a disability to report difficulty getting vaccinated against COVID-19.² Among unvaccinated adults, those with a disability were more likely than were those without a disability to report challenges such as:

• Getting an appointment online,
• Not knowing where to get vaccinated,
• Getting to vaccination sites, and
• Vaccination sites not being open at convenient times²

Health disparities are differences (also known as disparities) in health and access to services. Addressing these barriers to COVID-19 vaccination for people with disabilities can help reduce health disparities, increase COVID-19 vaccination demand, and increase the number of people with disabilities who get the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face unique challenges and are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parents, family members, and caregivers have been working hard to help the people they care for stay healthy and safe during this difficult time.

• COVID-19 Materials for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Care Providers. COVID-19 is challenging to explain, live through, and communicate about. CDC created the materials on this page in English and in Spanish to help make communicating about COVID-19 a little easier. 
• Talking About COVID-19: Tips for Parents, Family Members, and Caregiversexternal icon. The aim of these materials is to help caregivers talk with their loved ones with IDD about what to expect when getting a COVID-19 vaccine or test and how to stay safe if they are not fully vaccinated.
• Strategies for Reaching People with Limited Access to COVID-19 Vaccines.  Practices that can help reach populations who might need help accessing COVID-19 vaccination.
• Guidance for Direct Service Providers. What do care providers for people with disabilities need to know about COVID-19?
• COVID-19 Vaccine Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL)external icon. DIAL is now available to help people with disabilities, including deaf persons, get vaccinated. The DIAL’s trained staff is standing by to help with COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disabilities..."
  Disability and health