People with disabilities are at the greatest risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Because of this fact, Independent Connection has partnered with the Disability Vaccine Access Opportunities Center (DVAO Center), a national center that provides resources, training, and technical assistance to address vaccine hesitancy and barriers for people with disabilities. The DVAO Center will support us as we assist people with disabilities who may have specific disability-related questions and barriers with getting the COVID-19 vaccination (such as transportation needs to get to a vaccine appointment and other needs).

We plan to collaborate closely with some health departments in our service area, Salina Family Healthcare, OCCK (including their transportation division), and other local agencies responsible for vaccine distribution and information to support consumers. We will be assembling a small project advisory committee, adding COVID information to our website, and including community vaccine resources in upcoming newsletters and emails.

This project/publication is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $49,777 with 100 percent funding by  DC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.