COVID-19 and People with Disabilities

ADAP Operations

The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) is working full-time, but staff are working remotely.
​Please contact us if you need legal services or want to report alleged abuse/neglect.
In considering our response to the COVID-19 crisis, ADAP has been guided by two priorities: fulfilling our mission of protecting the civil rights of persons with disabilities and safeguarding the health of our staff and of the communities in which we live and work. As public health officials have made it clear that dramatic steps are required to contain the COVID-19 virus, ADAP's physical offices have closed and all staff are working remotely until further notice. We are committed to maintaining our operations to the fullest extent possible. 
  • Our phone line (205-348-4928) remains open.  Calls will be forwarded to staff; please be patient if there is a delay in responding.
  • While, as always, you can request a telephone intake appointment by calling us (205-348-4928), you will help us help you more efficiently if you use our online intake form. 
  • If you want to connect with a particular staff member, the best way to do so will be via email. All ADAP staff email addresses are listed here.   
  • All non-essential ADAP travel is suspended; we will substitute video- or tele-conferencing where possible.
  • Most of the state and federal agencies, courts, schools, and community partners with whom we interact also have suspended or altered their operations. This may impact our ability to move forward with advocacy at the speed we would want. This does not mean, however, that we are stopping or that your disability-related legal issue is not important.  We are still on the job and your civil rights and safety are our mission.

What We Are Doing

Alabama Withdraws Discriminatory Ventilator Rationing Policy and Issues Directive About Non-Discrimination in Accessing Life-Saving Treatment
April 8, 2020

In response to a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) by the Alabama Disability Advocacy Program (ADAP) and other disability rights advocates, the state of Alabama has withdrawn its discriminatory ventilator rationing policy and instructed hospitals across the state that they cannot discriminate against people with disabilities in accessing treatment.  The previous policy placed the lives of disabled adults and children at serious risk, in violation of federal law, by ordering hospitals to “not offer mechanical ventilator support for patients” with “severe or profound mental retardation,” “moderate to severe dementia,” and “severe traumatic brain injury.” The complaint was filed by the ADAP and The Arc of the United States, together with counsel from the Center for Public Representation, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and Sam Bagenstos.
 
After receiving the complaint, OCR took swift action to reach a resolution.  OCR  has made clear to Alabama and states and hospitals across the country that excluding people with disabilities from access to life-saving treatment is illegal and intolerable.resolution. 
In addition to withdrawing the discriminatory policies, Alabama has put in place new Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) Guidelines that contain important non-discrimination provisions.  The new Guidelines do not, however, address how ventilators will be rationed in the event it becomes necessary to do so.
The State’s actions are an important first step, and we appreciate that the state of Alabama acted quickly to withdraw its discriminatory policy.  But our work is not done.  We call on the Governor to work with ADAP and others in the disability community to develop transparent and clear guidance on how to implement these non-discrimination requirements in the event that rationing of ventilators becomes necessary. 

Copy of the press release can be found here:
Press Release
​

Resources
​

  • Medicaid
    A law has been passed to help you keep your Medicaid during the Corona-virus emergency. ​