2021 Annual Report - COVID-19 Vaccine Access

2021 Annual Report - COVID-19 Vaccine Access

 
2021 Advocacy Victories: COVID-19 Vaccine Access
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Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Disabilities

Disability Rights California advocated for all individuals with disabilities to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.  When the vaccine became available, and individuals with disabilities were not prioritized, DRC advocated, held press conferences, engaged in media, speaking events, and urged Governor Newsom to acknowledge the urgent need and take action.

Disability Rights California’s Executive Director, Andy Imparato, served on the Community Vaccine Advisory Committee for the State of California and the federal COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force making recommendations related to vaccine prioritization and the distribution plan for the vaccine.

We received a grant from the Agency on Community Living (ACL) to provide information on the COVID-19 vaccines to people with disabilities and help remove any barriers that people with disabilities might have with access.

We worked with federal partners, including the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, California University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers. Developing:

  • A Vaccine Readiness Survey- To collect data on people’s experience with access to the COVID-19 vaccines and to understand which communities needed further focus in California.
  • A video and outreach materials- With the National Disability Rights Network to let people know about COVID-19 access and how they can contact DRC for help.

Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine (Video)

We want you to be aware that you should be able to access the COVID-19 Vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine can help reduce the threat of the COVID-19 disease, and it is now available to everyone who wants it, in most cases. In the video below, learn about your right to access the vaccine if you want to, even if you need assistance.

 

Looking Forward

In 2022, we are going out into communities across California with our Vaccine Access Project. We are supporting vaccine clinics throughout California, by working with community host agencies that provide services to people with disabilities.

Our goal is to help ensure that all people with disabilities who choose to be vaccinated against COVID-19 have access to the vaccine. Our efforts include outreach to those who are unhoused, live in rural communities, or are members of communities where vaccine rates are currently low.