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Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources

21 Mar, 2020 | General

TEXT: Coronavirus is like a bad cold or flu - Image: Green spiky blob

The Australian Government’s Department of Health website is the central source for up-to-date information and advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you have questions, you can call the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

State and Territory governments are also providing detailed information and updates:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Visit the ACT Government Health Directorate website:  Latest information about novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the ACT

New South Wales (NSW) – Visit the NSW Government Health website: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information, advice and resources

Northern Territory (NT) – Visit the NT Government Department of Health website: Coronavirus (COVID-19) latest Northern Territory specific updates

Queensland (Qld)  – Visit the Queensland Government website: COVID-19 coronavirus Health alerts

South Australia (SA) – Visit the SA Health website: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response and Latest Updates

Tasmania (Tas) – Visit the Tasmanian Government Department of Health website: Coronavirus information and resources

Victoria (Vic) – Visit the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services Information, updates and advice about the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19)

Western Australia (WA) – Visit the Government of Western Australia Healthy WA webpage on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

healthdirect – You can also find information and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker on the healthdirect website, which provides Australian health advice.

Ethnolink Language Services has collated a Multi-Lingual Resource Library of links to translated resources available from Department of Health, state governments and the World Health Organisation.

International travel –  Refer to advice for travellers on the Department of Health website or visit the Smartraveller website for advice and to subscribe to updates.

International information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) is available on the World Health Organization (WHO) website, including:

Supporting people with disability

According to the Australian Department of Health fact sheet What you need to know, the people at most risk of serious infection are:

  • people with compromised immune systems (e.g. cancer)
  • elderly people
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as they have higher rates of chronic illness
  • people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions
  • very young children and babies*
  • people in group residential settings
  • people in detention facilities.

These at risk populations will include many people with disability. Disability advocacy organisations may wish to consider and develop strategies for minimising risk to clients, staff and volunteers and help to keep people with disability informed, healthy and supported during this time.

If you know of advice, templates or tools, or would like to share the resources or strategies that your organisation has developed, please email them to <policy@dana.org.au>.

Useful resources

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has published an Easy Read fact sheet. (15 pages)

CID (Council for Intellectual Disability) in New South Wales has produced Easy Read guides on Viruses and staying healthy (6 pages) and Staying safe from Coronavirus (4 pages).

The Growing Space has produced an Easy Read guide to explain CoronaVirus and ways to prepare and stay safe. (5 pages)

Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has published an Easy English update on CoronaVirus (10 pages)

Photosymbols has published a number of posters with simple advice about Coronavirus which can be accessed for free:

For National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, Frequently asked questions and Easy Read information have been published to assist with your questions about the NDIA’s response to the Coronavirus. You can visit their Coronavirus page, with information translated into languages including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese.

For NDIS Providers, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in providing updates, resources and alerts on their Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page

For Auslan users, Expression Australia are providing regular updates for the Deaf community on the Expression Australia website as well as on the Expression Australia Facebook page.

IDEAS links to useful information and resources on this Coronvirus News page, and there are information officers you can call on 1800 029 904 or chat to online at www.ideas.org.au. You can also ask questions by texting 0458 296 602)

Being Prepared - Corona Virus - IMAGE: Smiling Man in wheelchair

Disability Services Consulting (DSC):

People With Disability (PWD) Australia has called for the inclusion of a range of measures in the Federal Government’s response to support Australians with disability.  See their Information page and Media release for more details.

Researchers at the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health (CRE-DH) have also called for urgent action from State and Federal governments to better meet the care needs of people with disability through the health and disability service sectors. (Read their statement and recommendations)

Every Australian Counts links to a number of useful resources on this page of Emergency information for NDIS participants and families about the Coronavirus.

Advocacy for Inclusion has released a podcast episode Staying Connected to help listeners understand COVID-19.

More useful resources for disability advocacy organisations

Australian Government Department of Health:

healthdirect website: ‘How to avoid infection’ infographic

World Health Organization: Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (6 pages)

Australian Public Service Commission (APSC): Workplace principles for minimising the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) 

Fair Work Ombudsman: Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws

Comcare: Work health and safety obligations 

NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has compiled a COVID-19 Community Sector Resource, including a useful list of considerations for work health and safety and service continuity during a pandemic.

Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) is daily updating their page of Advice for social and community services & the NT

Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) has compiled key resources concerning COVID-19 and the community sector, including a video and transcript of an information forum held on 13 March 2020.

Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TasCOSS) is updating their page on COVID-19 Preparation and Advice

South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has compiled a page on Responding to COVID-19, including some advice for organisations to develop contingency plans.

Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) has provided advice on developing a business continuity plan and a disaster plan for community organisations (Visit the Community Door website to download resources)

Justice Connect – Not-for-profit Law has compiled COVID-19 FAQs

Our Community/ Institute of Community Directors Australia have an Epidemic/Pandemic Policy template available for download.

Australian Tax Office has announced Support measures to assist those affected by COVID-19

ACT

NSW

NT

Qld

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

Working from home resources

Connecting Up offers discounted and donated products to the Not-For-Profit sector – See Free or discounted tools from Connecting Up to help you work from home

File sharing platforms include:

Collaboration tools include: 

Infoxchange – Not-for-profit technology resources for the COVID-19 crisis

ABC News article – If you’re working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, who’s responsible for your safety?

PC Mag article – 20 tips for working from home

How are Australian disability advocacy organisations responding?

Around the country, disability advocacy organisations are considering and making plans for how to continue to provide support for their clients, while also managing risks of infection. The disability advocacy sector is diverse and organisations are facing a range of different challenges at this time.

Self Advocacy Sydney (SAS) has published this social media notification explaining the measures they have put in place to manage risks and providing instructions and advice for Clients, Board Members and SAS Staff to stay safe.

Corona Virus - Be Aware, Not Scared

Family Advocacy have posted this message: “The health and safety of our staff, people with disability and the families we work with is of the utmost importance to us. In an effort to minimise risks we will be postponing all our scheduled face to face workshops and information sessions until further notice. In some cases we will offer them through online platforms.”  They have also created Coronavirus information and links page on their website.

If you would like to share how your organisation is responding, please email <policy@dana.org.au>.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or sad, please reach out for support. Talking to someone can help.  If you would like to talk to someone now, you can contact:

Tips and Strategies

World Health Organisation (WHO)  – Coping with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak

Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Manage Anxiety & Stress

 

The post Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources appeared first on Disability Advocacy Network Australia.

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