Dear Families and Friends,

California’s continuing to get vaccines distributed, based on a special set of priority “phases.” It started with “Phase 1A,” which included health care workers and first responders.

But people with developmental disabilities weren’t part of that group. On Monday, Governor Newsom changed the tier priority for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to one based on age. This left people with disabilities out completely. Even though they are often at extra risk because of their disability (or disabilities), the state still hasn’t moved our community up the list.

WHO TO CALL AND EMAIL:

·   Governor Gavin Newsom

• Click HERE to email him
• Or call at 916-445-2841

·   California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly

• Click HERE to email him

·   Dr. Tomas Aragon, Director, California Dept of Public Health

• Click HERE to email him

YOU can help change this! We need to let Governor Newsom and others know that people with disabilities should be put in the very next group, “Phase 1B.” When you do:

1. Introduce yourself! Be sure to say if you have a disability, are a family member, or work in the community.

2. Explain that people with disabilities are at extra risk due to COVID-19, and need to be prioritized in Phase 1B.

3. Thank them for considering our community.

Explain why the vaccine is important for people with disabilities

• We can’t wait for a vaccine
• People with disabilities are more at risk for getting and dying of COVID
• People with disabilities need to be prioritized for vaccinations
• The vaccine rollout must be accessible to people with disabilities

Your email or phone call doesn’t have to be long. It just needs to be your words and feelings. AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE RIGHT AWAY!

A sample letter is also provided below, which you can copy and paste in your email. But personalizing your message is always better!

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SAMPLE LETTER

 Honorable Governor Newsom,

Many people with developmental disabilities are at extra risk from COVID because of their disability. For instance, COVID can be 10 times more deadly for people with Down Syndrome. Because of this risk, it is critical that vaccines be prioritized for this community.

Currently, the state has prioritized people who live in institutional settings to get the vaccine. But most people with developmental disabilities live in the community, not institutional settings. This is both personal choice and a state goal. They get special services that make this possible. The biggest difference between these two groups is where they live. Their health risk factors are the same, and it is important that people with similar needs get similar treatment.

To make it clear that people with developmental disabilities should be prioritized for vaccines, I support a new definition being added to the vaccine priority list: “people with disabilities who receive services that allow them to stay out of institutional settings.” This matches with a federal definition of “Home and Community-Based Services.” It will make it easy to ensure that this at-risk population can get the protection they need.

Thank you for considering our community in Phase 1B of the COVID vaccine.

Sincerely,
(your name)