On March 5^th representatives of multiple disability organizations came together to talk about the need for Arizona to do more for the disability community in Arizona with the COVID-19 vaccine. Organization at this press conference have been fighting to prioritize vaccines for the disability population since December and letter after letter never received a response from the governors’ office.

I was honored to be in this group and to talk about the need to vaccinate parents in our community- especially those who have children with autism, Down syndrome, or children who are medically fragile. We have watched our children’s respite providers, therapists, and teachers get the vaccine and waited our turn, but it never came. This means that for parents who have medically fragile children, their parents just became the most dangerous people in their lives. It’s absolutely unacceptable.

Here are a few links to the news coverage we were able to get from this press conference.  

https://kjzz.org/content/1664307/arizona-parents-kids-disabilities-plead-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.azfamily.com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus_coverage/parents-of-kids-with-special-needs-pushing-for-vaccine-priority-in-arizona/article_aec3e9d0-7fbb-11eb-a434-f3af72a331ed.html

https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/disabilities-rights-groups-pan-arizona-vaccination-plans1

https://www.12news.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/advocates-call-on-state-to-prioritize-the-disabled-in-vaccine-rollout/75-688b71cd-98a0-4431-b92a-9cb9f770b2bc

There is a meeting scheduled between the disability community and the governors’ office on Wednesday.

We are hoping that during this meeting these three items will be addressed.

1. That all ALTCS members 17 and older will be eligible for the vaccine right away
2. That parents of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities also be eligible for the vaccine right away
3. That Arizona follows the FEMA checklist for the COVID vaccine roll out and ensure that registration for the vaccine and that vaccination sites are in ADA compliance.

If you would like to call Governor Ducey’s office (602) 542-4331 in support of these actions please do so today- March 9^th.

 Thank you.