COVID-19

DEEN Support Services is here to support you and your families during the COVID19 pandemic.

If you have any questions about the resources below, interested to learn about mental health resources in your community, or require support completing an emergency care plan for yourself or family member, please contact our Emergency Response Support Coordinator, at amal.qutub@deensupportservices.ca or at (647)-865-3461.

COVID Alert App: COVID Alert helps us break the cycle of infection. The app can let people know of possible exposures before any symptoms appear.

Infographic on how the app works

Public Health Agency of Canada
Government of Canada resource list on COVID-19
World Health Organization (WHO)
Local public health units and provincial/territorial resources for COVID-19
The Government of Canada released a guidance document on COVID-19 and people with disabilities.
Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities HCARDD has a website with helpful information for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers

COVID19 in American Sign Language:
American Sign Language (ASL): How to use a face covering or mask
American Sign Language (ASL): Self Care guide for COVID 19
American Sign Language (ASL): How to make a face covering

The World Federation of the Deaf has information available in International Sign Language and other national Sign Languages.

COVID 19 in Plain Language Resources:
The Green Mountain Self-Advocates have developed a plain language guide for self-advocates and their support staff.
Self-advocate COVID-19 guide and workbook, adapted from Opening Doors UK.
People First of Canada have developed a plain language information sheet for self-advocates, based on Public Health Canada’s recommendations.
Surrey Place also has produced an Easy Read guide.
Looking after your mental health during COVID-19 – a plain language guide by the Council for Intellectual Disability
MindHeart Kids has developed a social story that explains Coronavirus and helps to reduce anxiety

This document was developed by the Government of Quebec, it explains the mourning process in a simplified, pictorial version for people with an intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and their families to facilitate their understanding.

This document was developed by the Government of Quebec, it describes step-by-step how to wash your hands with soap and water for persons with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder and their families.

This document was developed by the Government of Quebec, it explains how to wear and remove a mask safely.

COVID-19 and Financial Resources:

The Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC)
The Canadian Disability Tax Credit (DTC) can help reduce the taxes you or someone who supports you owe. It also offers a lot of other great benefits.
https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/segments/tax-credits-deductions-persons-disabilities/disability-tax-credit.html
Use this tool to determine the information you will need to apply and be eligible

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB) gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are unable to work because they must care for their child under 12 years old or a family member who needs supervised care.

Disability Planning Helpline
Call toll-free helpline 1-844-311-7526 to speak to a family expert about any disability future planning information questions you may have, including on the RDSP, estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, and social network building.

Emergency Preparedness Tools:

“Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities / Special Needs: 72 hours”
Both the Ontario and federal governments have produced guidelines aimed at: 1) knowing the risks; 2) making a plan; and, 3) assembling emergency supplies. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.
Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities (Federal)
Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities (Ontario)

Advance Care Planning:
COVID 19 has left many feeling uncertain about the future, and this includes uncertainty about health too. The best thing you can do for yourself is to learn more about who would make health care decisions for you if you can’t speak for yourself. The best time to plan for this is before a medical crisis occurs.
Watch this recorded webinar by Yaqeen Institute about this topic and why it’s important to address during COVID-19, streamed on April 11, 2020

Stay tuned for DEEN’s recorded webinar about Advance Care Planning, streamed on October 25, 2020
Learn more about Advance Care Planning by visiting the website and accessing the online workbook

Planning Tools:
A free online tool to help you or anyone with a disability build a plan to help you secure the future. Topics include financial planning, housing, relationships, contribution, personal support networks, legal decision making, provincial benefits and more. Currently serves BC and Ontario.

Legal:
ARCH Disability Law Centre has developed an Advocacy Toolkit – Advocating for Your Support Person, Attendant or Communication Assistant to be with You in Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic. A plain language version of the toolkit is also available.

Community Legal Education Ontario
JusticeNet is a not-for-profit service helping people in need of legal expertise, whose income is too high to access legal aid and too low to afford standard legal fees.
Reach mobilizes a network of more than 200 lawyers, mediators and paralegals in the Ottawa region and connects with community resources to assist people with disabilities in dealing with legal issues.

COVID-19 and Mental Health:
**If you’re in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 911.**
**If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566.**
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes. You might feel like you’re no longer in control of things. It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or worried. People react in different ways. Below are free resources to support you during this time.
Naseeha Mental Health operates 7 days a week 12-9 pm EST . Call or Text to speech to a support worker at 1-866-NASEEHA (1-866-627-3342)

Khalil Centre, located in Toronto, is currently offering virtual counselling. Contact them at:

Phone: (416) 901-2244
 Email: TOADMIN@KHALILCENTER.COM

NISA Helpline: Nisa Helpline is a confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental helpline that provides free counselling to Muslim women across North America. Call at 1.888.315 NISA (1.888.315.6472)

Wellness Together Canada: An online portal to access Mental Health and Substance Use Support, if you’re unsure how to start, Call 1-866-585-0445 to speak with a Program Navigator who can help you find the resources and support on the portal that would be most helpful for you.

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM) has developed a website with tools for supporting individuals with Autism through uncertain times.
The Ontario Caregiver Organization has information on precautions for caregivers and a tip sheet for caregiver mental health.
Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa from Bay Psychology has developed a COVID-19 workbook Tolerance for Uncertainly: A guide to accept your feelings, tolerate distress, and and thrive.

Plain language information about Mental Health. Please note that this document was produced in Australia.

An illustrated guide for families and carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on how to respond when someone dies from coronavirus, developed by Books Beyond Words.

Webinar by Yaqeen Institute about Overcoming Stress and Anxiety

Webinar by Community Living Ontario about supporting the Mental Health of people with Developmental Disabilities 

COVID-19 and Family Violence:
If you’re experiencing gender-based violence, you can access a crisis line in your province or territory. In Ontario, you may contact Assaulted Women’s Helpline Toll free: 1-866-863-0511 (multilingual services available) Toll free TTY: 1-866-863-7868 or #SAFE (#7233) on your Bell, Rogers, Fido or Telus mobile phone

NISA Homes: Nisa Homes is a group of transitional homes (long-term shelters) for immigrant, refugee, non-status and Muslim women who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We are a safe haven for women experiencing domestic violence, poverty, homelessness or seeking asylum. This home is a centre of empowerment where the vulnerable are given hope, the broken are rebuilt and the helpless are given their dignity.
Mississauga
mississauga@nisahomes.com
1 (888) 456-8043 x 401