Disability Resources

COVID-19 Vaccinations: Know Your Rights!

• People with disabilities sometimes have trouble accessing COVID-19 vaccines.
• Both public and private vaccine providers must modify their programs to remove barriers for people with disabilities who want a vaccine. This includes physical barriers and communication barriers.
• Reasonable accommodations help people with disabilities access vaccinations. The law requires this so everyone can have equal access to vaccines if they want.
• Who must comply? Any place that provides vaccines to people. This includes all state and local governments, hospitals, health clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, pharmacies and more.
• The federal laws that require this include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Affordable Care Act.
• Examples of reasonable accommodations that might give equal access to vaccines include:
  • Bringing a caregiver, staff, or support person with you to your appointment.
  • Providing private waiting areas with not many lights or noises.
  • Allowing headphones or fidget toys during your appointment.
  • Having a sign language interpreter available during your appointment.
  • Getting help communicating with others during your appointment.
• At your appointment, there must be good communication, so you understand things. Some things that might help how you communicate with others include:
  • Having printed materials in Braille, large print, or formats for screen readers.
  • Having videos captioned, with audio descriptions.
  • Having sign language interpreters, and other interpreters, at your appointment.
  • Using a Video Remote Interpreting Service, Telecommunications Relay Service, or Video Relay Service for telephone calls.
  • Using a computer or white board to communicate.
• Here are tips for requesting an accommodation to help make your vaccination accessible.
  • Prior to your appointment, call ahead to ask if they offer the accommodation you need.
  • If they don’t, explain the accommodation you’d like and how it will help you.
  • If needed, ask if you can make your request in writing, and how to email them.
  • Bring their answer with you to your appointment, to remind them.