This post was authored by Dr. Angela Kuemmel of Louis Stokes VA Medical Center and Dr. Rebecca Wilbur of Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center.

Q: I am a trainee with a disability that compromises my immune system and puts me at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Can I request reasonable accommodations even if I didn’t have them before COVID-19?

The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission has updated their guidelines on PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT in response to COVID-19. Per these guidelines, employees with disabilities that put them at high risk for complications of pandemic influenza may request telework as a reasonable accommodation to reduce their chances of infection during a pandemic.  The Job Accommodation Network lists possible accommodations for individuals with suppressed immune systems or other disabilities. The Network also has resources specific to COVID-19 and the ADA.

Q: What resources for students with disabilities do you recommend?

• APA Disability Office
• Division 22 Disability Identity Committee
• Invisible Disabilities Association
• Inspire: Invisible Disabilities Association Support
• Invisible Disabilities Project

Q: What resources can you share for educators and educators?

• Webinar by Division 17: Supervising Students with Disabilities: Raising Awareness and Cultural Competence
• Webinar by APA: Raising Awareness and Developing Disability Cultural Competence in the Supervisory Relationship
• Accessible teaching in the time of COVID-19
• Educause tools for developing accessible courses
• NCCSD Clearinghouse