Vax for All provides information to help take the stress out of making a COVID-19 vaccine decision for your child with autism and other disabilities. Resources on the website include:

• Stories, videos and other kid-friendly disability resources
• How vaccines work – explanations for children and adults
• A vaccine appointment scheduling tool
• Information about in-home vaccine appointments for children in Illinois

Parents may text HELLO to (260) VAX-4ALL / (260) 829-425 to find information or chat.

Para obtener información sobre cómo vacunar a su hijo, envíe un mensaje de texto con HOLA al (260) 829-4255.

People with disabilities are individuals with families, jobs, hobbies, likes and dislikes, and problems and joys. While the disability is an integral part of who they are, it alone does not define them.

RespectAbility offers tips and resources to educate the public about etiquette and interacting with people with disabilities. Featured information includes:

• A disability sensitivity training video from the D. C. Office of Disability Rights
• The United Spinal Association’s Disability Etiquette booklet   (Spanish)  (Chinese)

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Rehabilitation Services (IDHS/DRS) is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities in becoming full participants in our society.

With “People First: A Guide to Interacting with People With Disabilities,” IDHS/DRS provides general etiquette tips and information on people-first language to foster respect and inclusion for people with disabilities.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.

PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics as well as understanding Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Many of PAF’s resources are also available in Spanish.

PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) provides valuable information and understanding to patients navigating the healthcare system.

PAF’s Education Resource Library offers information on a wide variety of individual health and health insurance-related topics including:

• Finding and Selecting Insurance
• Making the Most of Your Health Insurance
• Engaging with Insurers: Appealing a Denial
• Patient Advocate Foundation Drug Formulary FAQ

Watch their short tutorial “Welcome to the Education Resource Library” to learn how to find and share materials. Many of the materials are available in English and Spanish.

PAF is also available by phone Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., at (800) 532-5274.

The Illinois Department of Public Health provides this list of frequently asked questions about additional doses and booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Information includes the difference between an additional dose and a booster shot, who should get a booster shot, who should get an additional dose of vaccine and more.

The Illinois Department of Public Health put together a list of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination for children and teenagers.

Information includes vaccine safety, the latest approval information, possible side effects and more.

 

“Getting the Care You Need: A Guide for People with Disabilities” aims to empower patients with disabilities by explaining their rights to accessible care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides this resource. It is available in multiple languages, including:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• Haitian Creole
• Korean
• Russian
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has developed the Coverage to Care (C2C) initiative. C2C provides information to help you understand your health coverage and connect to primary care and the preventive services that are right for you.

Resources are provided in multiple languages and on topics including:

• Five steps for making the most of your health coverage
• Telehealth services
• A step-by-step roadmap to health
• A companion roadmap to behavioral health
• Videos on maximizing your health coverage

“How to Support a Child with Epilepsy: Information for Parents” from HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ parenting website, provides tips for encouraging and supporting a child with epilepsy from infancy to adulthood. Topics include:

• Recognizing and treating seizures as early as possible
• Talking to your child’s doctor
• Discussing epilepsy openly and honestly with your child and others
• Finding childcare
• Teens with epilepsy
• Transitioning to adulthood

Additional resources for explaining epilepsy to others, building a care notebook, asking your medical team questions and what to do if your child has a seizure are also available.