COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.

What is CDDH doing to support people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities during this critical time?

CDDH has developed a resource package to promote access to telehealth, provide further information on overall health maintenance – including physical and mental, provide further resources and contacts so people can be better informed and know where to seek further information. The package provides a general overview of known areas of concern for people with intellectual and/or developmental disability, workers and their supports. They have been designed to be used independent of, or as an additional support to telehealth.

Fact sheets include;

• Telehealth: what is telehealth; how do you prepare for a telehealth appointment; costs involved and further information
• Behaviour Support: what is behaviour support; behaviour charts; behaviour support plans and further information
• Accessing services: which services can support you; support for carers; support around COVID-19 and further information
• Keeping active: exercise and activities; staying safe; additional supports and further information
• Healthy lifestyle: what is a healthy lifestyle; medical supports that you can seek and further information
• Eating well: what is a balanced diet; medical supports that you can seek and further information
• Carer support: information and further support for both paid carers, family members and volunteers
• Wearing a mask: information on the requirements for wearing a mask
• Guide for assisting people with a disability for COVID-19 testing

To access the fact sheets, click on the relevant button below.

People with a disability and their carers who have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, and are unable to leave home, may be eligible to access the Call-to-Test service.

To access this service, call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398 and select option 9 for further information.

You can read about the Call-to-Test service in Easy English.

Our Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) service is available to provide specialized disability information and support for people with disability relating to COVID-19 including testing, management and treatment.

For further information about this service please visit our Disability Liaison Officers page.

Further information regarding COVID-19 can be obtained at

https://coronavirus.monashhealth.org/

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-disability