ADA National Network Learning Session: A Closer Look: COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People With Disabilities Project

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected many groups, including the 61 million people in the United States living with a disability. As part of the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities project, we invite you to join us for a webinar focused on strategies, and solutions for people with disabilities as they continue to live, learn, work, and play during the COVID-19 pandemic. This CDC Foundation funded project, along with technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), supports the Georgia Tech CIDI team on creating accessible materials and resources from existing CDC COVID-19 guidance. The specific targeted disability audiences identified as needing these resources are individuals who are blind and/or have low vision and need braille, individuals with intellectual and cognitive disabilities needing easy to read language, and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and need ASL. Additionally, resources and helpful guidance has been created for individuals living with mobility disabilities, their caregivers, and families. Presenters will share information about this project including statistics on individuals living with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, history of the project, and real-time resources for you as we collectively work to distribute this vital health information to those who need it most.

Learning objectives:

• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to identify 2 ways that people disabilities have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to list 3 targeted disability specific audiences that will be receiving the accessible materials.
• At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to name the accessible resources that are available through the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People Disabilities Project.

Presenters:

Carolyn Phillips, Co-Director, CIDI, Services and Education, Director, Tools for Life. Carolyn P. Phillips is nationally recognized in the field of assistive technology and disabilities. Carolyn serves as Director and Principal Investigator of Tools for Life, Georgia's Assistive Technology (AT) Act Program and the Co-Director of Services and Education at the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech. In this capacity, she oversees a wide range of AT projects and programs, including the National Pass It On Center. Carolyn is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and guest lecturer at other universities. She has published articles in journals, chapters in books in AT and poetry focused on living with disabilities. Carolyn has dedicated her time and energy to promoting independence of all people, including those with disabilities through advocacy, education, assistive technology and systems change. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, and her Master's Degree from the University of Kentucky. Carolyn lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Liz Persaud, Program and Outreach Manager. Liz Persaud is a nationally recognized keynote, public speaker, and advocate addressing the need to build bridges and solidify the gaps between individuals living with and without disabilities. Liz currently serves as the Program and Outreach Manager for Tools for Life, Georgia's Assistive Technology Act Program, and the Pass It On Center, The National Assistive Technology Device Reutilization Coordination and Technical Assistance Center, at the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation within the College of Design at Georgia Tech. She is a sought-after guest lecturer at numerous universities speaking on the power of assistive technology. Liz is an active advocate with the non-profit group NMD United, providing outreach and raising awareness to numerous groups and organizations across the globe. Her passion lies within education about generations of adults growing up and living independently and successfully with childhood neuromuscular diseases. Liz has dedicated her life to increasing independence for individuals with disabilities by educating on self-determination and advocacy with a focus on technology and disabilities. She is a graduate of Georgia State University and lives in Alpharetta, Georgia with her hero of a husband and supportive family.

Sam Peters, Program Specialist. Sam Peters currently serves as the Program Specialist at Tools for Life. As the Program Specialist, Sam assists in coordinating state leadership activities such as trainings and outreach, as well as assists in overall daily programmatic activities. This includes trainings for various grants and organizations throughout Georgia and assistive technology labs at state and national conferences. Sam enjoys getting to pursue her passion of educating individuals with disabilities, parents, teachers, professionals and caregivers about the many possibilities of assistive technology. She loves TFL's mission to Live, Learn, Work and especially Play independently in the community of your choice. Sam Peters is a graduate from Clemson University with her Bachelor of Science in Sociology. In December 2019, Sam received her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Georgia with a concentration in Management and Organizational Theory. Sam is interested in health and education policy and the intersection between the two. Particularly, how these policies effect individuals with disabilities and their ability to live independently.