COVID-19 advice for people with disability

Stay ahead of COVID-19 with 6 simple steps

Auslan

For COVID-19 information in Auslan, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Auslan.

COVID-19 medicines

People with a high risk of getting very sick with COVID-19 can get medicine to help them stay well. There are medicines to:

• treat COVID-19 symptoms if you get infected
• reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.

Some of these medicines are called ‘oral treatments’ or 'antivirals'. They stop people from getting so sick that they need to go to hospital.

You need to start taking oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine within 5 days of getting sick. This is why it is important to get tested for COVID-19 as soon as you notice any symptoms. You should take the medicine even if your symptoms are mild.

A GP or a GP Respiratory Clinic can assess if you need these medicines and prescribe them for you or refer you to a hospital. If you are unable to get an appointment at a GP or GP Respiratory Clinic, call the Coronavirus Hotline for assistance on 1800 675 398.

Find out if you can get COVID-19 medicines if you get sick.

Testing

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are the easiest way to test for COVID-19.

You should take a RAT:

• if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re very mild
• if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 before visiting a hospital, aged care facility, or disability care facility
• before visiting elderly people, people with disability or people at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

COVID-19 can spread before you have symptoms. You can protect others by checking that you are negative before you leave home.

Learn more about RATs and how to use them.

If you are at high risk of severe illness and have symptoms, you should speak to a GP about a PCR test even if you have tested negative on a RAT. This is so you can get any help you need, including COVID antiviral medicine, as quickly as possible.

If you can’t get an appointment to see a GP, you can make an appointment with a GP respiratory clinic or contact the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.

For more information see Get a COVID-19 test.

Vaccination

Recharge your immunity with a booster

Getting vaccinated protects you against COVID-19, helps prevent you from getting seriously ill and reduces the spread of COVID-19 to others.

COVID-19 vaccines are available free for everyone aged 5 and over at pharmacies and GPs.

If you or the person you are booking for needs additional support to receive a vaccination, Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) can assist you to access available vaccination services.

Contact a DLO by emailing DLOcoordinator@dhhs.vic.gov.au.

For easy read resources on vaccinations visit the Australian Government Department of Health’s COVID-19 Vaccination - Easy read resources webpage.

For more information about vaccinations visit the get vaccinated webpage.

COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 years - Easy English

pdf 2.63 MB

Mental health

For people with disability, this may be a particularly challenging time due to uncertainty, increased social isolation or financial hardship. The impact can be significant especially for those with cognitive impairment and those already living with complex mental health issues.

There are tips for mental well being and resources of people with disability and their carers and families on the mental health support webpage.

Other Resources:

• For more tips and resources to look after your mental health during the pandemic visit Mental health resources - COVID-19.
• Contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 (available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 7 pm) for information or help because of COVID-19.
• You can visit the Council for Intellectual Disability webpage for tips to look after your mental health.
• You can also get help through the Partners in Wellbeing service on 1300 375 330 to get free one-on-one support for your mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. Partners in Wellbeing is funded by the Victorian Government.
• Contact the Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 224 636 available 24/7 or online chat (3 pm to 12 am, 7 days a week).
• Remain connected with friends and family members and seek out peer support groups such as Peer Connect.

Family violence resources

Read the Violence against women with disabilities factsheet from Women with Disabilities Victoria.

Visit the 1800RESPECT webpage for information on Sunny, an app for women with disability experiencing violence and abuse.

Resources in easy read to support people with disability who have experienced sexual assault are available on the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) web page.

Read Easy English resources on how to get help if you are experiencing family violence during COVID-19.

Family violence - how to get support during coronavirus (COVID-19) - easy read version

pdf 3.22 MB

Family violence - how to get support during coronavirus (COVID-19) - easy read version

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Support for children, young people and families

Information for families with children with disability.

• Visit the Association for Children with Disability web page for information and resources to support families and children with disability. You can also call them on 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional).
• I CAN Network provides online peer mentoring sessions for autistic young people aged 9 to 20. Find out more about the I CAN Network on their web page.
• Visit a MyTime group nearest you. MyTime is free support for all parents and family carers of children with disability. MyTime is a place to socialise, to discuss, to get information, and to support and be supported by other carers.
• Visit the Amaze Coronavirus Hub webpage for information about autism and supports for autistic people, parents and carers, other family members and professionals. They have free online learning resources and a directory of support groups.