COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Initiatives
The Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GUCEDD) is leading several initiatives in the District of Columbia (DC) to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence among persons with disabilities, their families, and direct support professionals (DSPs). The GUCEDD is partnering with persons with disabilities and families, advocates, community members, and public and private sector organizations in DC. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important for all members of the DC community to be healthy and safe, as well as to protect their families and community members from getting this dangerous virus.
Individuals as young as 12 years old can now be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you or your family are unsure if getting vaccinated is right for you, talk with a health professional to get the information you need to make an informed decision.
About the Projects
The GUCEDD received funding for two projects increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence for persons with disabilities living in the District of Columbia. The funding and support are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administered through the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) (new window) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) (new window).
Read the GUCEDD COVID-19 Vaccine Project Press Release. (new window)
Voices from the Community
GUCEDD heard from local disability advocates on why people with disabilities should get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vacunada? Vacunado? Vacunadx?
Promoting vaccine confidence necessitates cultural and linguistic competence. The GUCEDD considered gender implications in a t-shirt designed to promote vaccine confidence. Read the story. (new window)
Why I got my COVID-19 Vaccine
- Transcript: PDF (new window) – Text (new window)
- Video in Spanish (new window)
Thelma Green is very active in the community, including Project ACTION! and Special Olympics DC. Check out why she got her COVID-19 vaccine (after she really did not want to).
Getting my COVID-19 Vaccine with Confidence
- Transcript: PDF (new window) – Text (new window)
- Video in Spanish (new window)
James Beadle is a man with a disability who lives in DC and got his COVID-19 vaccine. He also successfully convinced his friend with a disability to get vaccinated. Check out his story!
Why People with Disabilities Should Get Their COVID-19 Vaccine
- Transcript: PDF (new window) – Text (new window)
- Video in Spanish (new window)
James Beadle and Thelma Green are two DC locals with disabilities who both got their COVID-19 shot. Thelma was hesitant at first, but James helped her change her mind!
Ask Dr. Kim series
Why does everyone need a vaccine? Why do recommendations about COVID-19 keep changing? Learn that and more from our local physician, Dr. Kim Bullock.
Lived Experiences of Persons with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Disabilities
GUCEDD published Disparities in IDD Supports and Services: Lived Experience During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the District of Columbia (new window), an article on the COVID-19 experience in DC based on personal narratives featured in Impact, a newsletter series published by the Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota.
COVID-19 Infographics
Resources
There is much information available about COVID-19 vaccines. Here are some helpful resources that we trust.
- ACL Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) (new window)
- University of New Hampshire University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities has a comprehensive list of resources (new window)
- SARTAC plain language information on COVID-19 in 11 languages (new window)
- University of Miami Mailman Center COVID-19 Vaccine Facts (new window)
- Other COVID-19 resources (new window)
For information about DC COVID-19 vaccination data, information, locations, and transportation options, visit the DC Government COVID-19 page.