Action Alert | Action Alert | Action Alert image in blue circle

Logos for Autism Alliance of Michigan, The Arc Michigan, Disability Rights Michigan, Detroit Disability Power

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NEED COVID-19 VACCINE NOW!

 

PLEASE JOIN US IN ASKING GOVERNOR WHITMER AND THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (MDHHS) FOR:

  • · An immediate upgrade in vaccine priority status, from 1C to 1B, for all Michiganders with disabilities, aged 16-64
  • · Accessible materials for vaccine education, outreach, registration and delivery
  • · Fully accessible vaccine distribution sites with free transportation, as well as in-home vaccination options

 

WHO TO CALL | TWEET | EMAIL

Governor Whitmer: Call (517) 373-3400 | Twitter, @GovWhitmer

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel: (517)373-3626 |email, HertelE@michigan.gov | Twitter, @MDHHS_Director

Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun: (517) 284-4730 | email, KhaldunJ@michigan.gov | Twitter, @DrKhaldun

WHAT TO SAY

Introduce and identify yourself as a person with a disability, or as a family member or other supporter of a person with a disability.

 

Then explain why the Covid-19 vaccine is so important for people with disabilities. It’s because people with disabilities are more at risk for getting and dying of Covid than people without disabilities.

 

Ask for an upgrade in vaccine priority status for ALL people with disabilities, for easy and convenient ways for people with disabilities to get information about the vaccine, and to get the vaccine itself.

 

Express concern that institutional bias is putting people with disabilities who live independently at greater risk, since people with disabilities in congregate settings with the same disabilities are being vaccinated now.

 

Example:
@govwhitmer @MDHHS_Director @DrKhaldun, I am [the sibling of] a person with a disability, and would like to express how important it is to alter the prioritization of vaccinating individuals with disabilities from 1C to 1B. This population is at a higher risk for contracting and dying from COVID-19, and deserves accessible vaccine education, outreach, registration and delivery. People with disabilities who live independently are being put at greater risk than those in congregate settings who are being vaccinated now. Please prioritize ALL people with disabilities.