[community] How can we help?

Wed Mar 18 19:02:41 UTC 2020

Here is one for you, create a program specific to children on the autism
spectrum and provide some level of respite for parents who have the children
24 hours. In these particular cases, frequently  children go to school  or
therapy, but given everything is closed, there is no respite for those
parents dealing with difficult situations.
Imagine a single parent with a child with severe autism . Where do they get
help?
The government increased financial support  through the child credit, but
again what about for children who are on the spectrum. Parents will need to
see how they can hire external resources to help antieducational and
awareness campaigns on TV, radio and other channels needs to be more
relatable and in different languages with diverse demographics so people can
better relate to this situation.**There was a report yesterday on how
difficult it was in Italy for example, a nation where hugging, kissing and
touching is so normal. So how and why  the change in  interaction "social
distancing" is needed and not offensive It is about loving each other.

Pina

-----Original Message-----
From: community <community-bounces at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca> On Behalf Of Cybele
S
Sent: March 18, 2020 2:48 PM
To: Jutta Treviranus <jtreviranus at ocadu.ca>
Cc: Inclusive Design Community <community at lists.idrc.ocadu.ca>
Subject: Re: [community] How can we help?

Hello Inclusive Design Community.  Jutta asked how we could help.  I offered
to start working with whoever else is interested on a list of policy ideas
that could be fed to levels of government, to better meet the needs of those
who are especially vulnerable at this time.

In the spirit of this, I have started a list, which I would appreciate
commentary on - what works and what doesn't, what else should be considered,
and any additional resources you have to share.  This is a very early
brainstorm list, just to get us started.  While I appreciate feedback, I
hope and trust that we can remain constructive about this.  All ideas are
worth considering.  So please share whatever comes to mind, if you have some
thoughts on how we might move this forward.

Thanks.

Some policy suggestions that I've been thinking about:

For Testing:

1 - More tests - for people who haven't travelled and don't know someone
diagnosed with it, especially for those who are vulnerable (seniors,
pre-existing conditions)

2 - Rectal swabs should be considered, as the virus stays in stool longer
than oral secretions, and could give us a better sense of how long to
isolate. It sounds gross, but they are actually less invasive, and possible
to use with children. (rectal swabs are already currently used for C. diff
and other super bugs, and are on the list of acceptable swabs to use by the
WHO for COVID-19)

3 - Developing a test for antibodies, to know who has developed immunity.
If people know they've acquired it and can't catch it again, they will be
more free to support others. They will still need to handwash, etc., but at
least they won't be carrying it inside their bodies.

4 - Create a mobile testing service as well as drive-through testing
services. Because rectal swabs may be better, don't trust the results of a
single drive-through test (can be false negative). The drive-through is also
an education point.

For Parents, Families and Other in Need:

1 - More resources for parents - food options for those who don't have
enough, dietician advice, ways to keep your kids busy, online educational
resources, and access to mental health supports online for children and
parents. Also emergency supports in the case of child abuse and domestic
violence, including shelters and temporary removals.

2 - Coordinating with grocery stores to make sure that no food is wasted.
That all the extra food is shared directly with food banks and that food
banks have a way to quickly disperse that food to those in need, and that
those in need know where to get access to it.

3 - Creating new ways for those without the tools to access supports online
to get it. Could be print-outs, could be mobile vehicles, could be phone
calls from lists that organizations have. Everyone deserves a call or a
pamphlet in their mailbox.

For Social Distancing:

1 - Suggesting no gatherings over 10 people, and better not to gather at
all.

2 - Putting hand sanitizer stations EVERYWHERE. Also encouraging the use of
masks by sick people, even while home, so they don't infect their families.

3 - Working with other provinces to reduce inter-provincial travel. But also
coordinating with other provinces so that patients who need help can be
moved across borders if needed. Same within different communities. Maybe
clean communities should be places for patients who have tested negative and
need support, while the already infected places take the infected people.

4 - Being super clear about what self-isolation means. Travellers should not
be going outside to get groceries.

5 - All homeless shelters should practice social distancing NOW, with hand
sanitizers and masks available for anyone who is sick. Anyone with cold
symptoms should be quarantined in a separate facility. University and
college residences should be converted into temporary shelters for those
without housing, with appropriate quarantine facilities.

6 - Ensure grocery stores and pharmacies are creating social distancing.
Only 10-50 people in the store at once, 2 metres apart (or 6 feet, the
length of a tall person), and that there is hand santizer everywhere and
that there are signs telling sick people to go home with pamphlets on how to
order food for delivery.

For Health Supports:

1 - Creating more mental health supports, and expanding the mental health
capacities of current mental health providers, to do their work online and
by phone. That means that all mental health agencies should get supports to
do this, as well as mental health hospitals.

2 - Telehealth needs way more resources. Include pharmacists on the lines
too. It should be nurses, nurse practicioners, pharmacists, dieticians, and
mental health professionals. Expand telehealth to cover a wider range of
services.

3 - Provide proper protective equipment for all waste management workers, as
well as all health care professionals, including full protective gear for
companies like Medvisit, which visit seniors.

4 - Change the rules for Medvisit so that they can visit people who are
vulnerable to this virus and not just seniors and housebound

Other?

On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:29 AM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sorry rewritten below with typo correction.  Was typed on my phone.
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:28 AM Cybele S <cybele.sack at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> How can we put together a list of things the various levels of 
>> government should be doing to support people with disabilities, 
>> especially those with chronic conditions (including mental health), 
>> seniors and those living in poverty, at this time?
>>
>> A very clear bulleted list would help.
>>
>> And once that list is ready, some design for it would be good too.
>>
>> Also some signs and memes that communicate these needs that can be 
>> shared to encourage people to think more inclusively at a time when 
>> ableism is heightened.
>>
>> I am happy to help with this, from a content perspective.
>>
>> Best wishes and stay safe.
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Mar 16, 2020 at 11:20 AM Jutta Treviranus 
>> <jtreviranus at ocadu.ca>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Please feel free to use this list to reach out to the Inclusive 
>>> Design community for help, advice or simply to connect during this 
>>> period of social distancing. Social distancing only means physical 
>>> distancing, use whatever you can to maintain social cohesion and 
>>> social connection especially to people who may feel socially isolated.
>>>
>>> take care,
>>> Jutta
>>>
>>>
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