COVID-19 and People with Disabilities

ADAP Operations

The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) is working full-time.
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 are now open and all staff are working either in office or 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 Are We Doing?

COVID-19 poses serious threats to the health, safety, and legal rights of people with disabilities.

We can help. Please contact us if you observe or have problems with issues like:

In Residential Programs (including nursing homes, group homes, facilities, residential treatment settings for youth)

You have not been given information about the signs of COVID-19, how to stay safe, and how staff will help you stay safe
Staff and visitors are coming into the facility with symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever, shortness of breath) or are not being screened for symptoms at the door
There are staffing shortages in the facility
You live in a small facility or group home where someone is sick and you can’t get physical distance to be safe
Staff are not being careful with personal hygiene to protect against COVID-19 (washing hands frequently or using hand sanitizer, staying 6 feet away when possible, wearing protective gear if caring for someone who is ill)
You don’t have access to needed treatment services
You are being abused or neglected, including extreme isolation, lack of human contact, and/or over–medication
You are being pressured to sign a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR)
You are being blocked to transitioning to a community placement because of COVID-19 concerns
For youth in facilities, you don’t have access to the education or IEP services you’re supposed to have

In the community

Your in-home assistance staffing changes or is not available
Your staffing has been impacted by COVID-19 and your needs are not being met
Your staff is not careful with personal hygiene (washing hands often, staying 6-feet away when possible, wearing protective gear to stop the spread of infection)
You don’t have access to needed treatment services
You can’t access necessary telehealth services because you don’t have needed technology, phone minutes or internet services
You are being pressured to sign a do-not-resuscitate order (DNR)
For youth, you don’t have access to education or IEP services you’re supposed to have

Resources

Healthcare

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

Safety in the Community and in Facilities

Special Education

Transportation and Housing

Voting