SWTRC COVID-19 UPDATES - MARCH 2022

National Developmental Disability Awareness Month

Bringing You Up To Date Regional Information

Telehealth Inclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the widespread use of telehealth. Among people with disabilities, particularly those in rural areas, studies indicate telehealth provides many benefits. However, technology needs to be accessible and appropriately matched to the needs of the patient. This is important now, as well as in the future.

This month, we’re providing resources related to Telehealth inclusion.

The ADA National Network consists of 10 regional ADA Centers and an ADA Knowldedge Translation Center.
 

FIND YOUR REGIONAL CENTER:

Arizona	Arizona is part of Region 9 – Pacific ADA Center   Address: 555 12th Street, Suite 1030   Oakland, CA 94607-4046 Phone: 510-285-5600 (V/TTY) Fax: 510-285-5614 Email:adatech@adapacific.org Website: https://www.adapacific.org Learn more about Region 9.
Colorado	Colorado is part of Region 8 - Rocky Mountain ADA Center   Address: 3630 Sinton Road, Suite 103   Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: 719-444-0268 (V/TTY) Videophone: 719-358-2460** Fax: 719-444-0269 Email:email@rockymountainada.org Website: https://rockymountainada.org/ **ASL:Paul Simmons Learn more about Region 8.
Nevada	Nevada is part of Region 9 – Pacific ADA Center   Address: 555 12th Street, Suite 1030   Oakland, CA 94607-4046 Phone: 510-285-5600 (V/TTY) Fax: 510-285-5614 Email:adatech@adapacific.org Website: https://www.adapacific.org Learn more about Region 9.
New Mexico	New Mexico is part of Region 6 - Southwest ADA Center Address:TIRR Memorial Hermann Research Center   1333 Moursund St.   Houston, TX 77030 Phone: 713-797-7171 (V)* Fax: 713-520-5785 Email:swdbtac@ilru.org Website:https://www.southwestada.org *Spanish:Diego Demaya Learn more about Region 6

More Resources from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:

• Medicare Beneficiaries’ Use of Telehealth in 2020:
  Trends by Beneficiary Characteristics and Location
• Guidance and Resources for Ensuring Accessibility of Health Programs and Activities Offered Through Electronic Information Technology
• SMD# 21-003; RE: Implementation of American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Section 9817: Additional Support for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services during the COVID-19 Emergency
• National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Standards

Additional Resources:

• NAD: COVID-19: Video-Based Telehealth Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patients
• July 2020, Health Task Force Telehealth Principles
• In moving to telehealth for patient visits, ensure equity by providing access to the appropriate equipment and training in the use of telehealth by the patient
• Annaswamy TM, Verduzco-Gutierrez M, Frieden L. Telemedicine barriers and challenges for persons with disabilities: COVID-19 and beyond. Disabil Health J. 2020;13(4):100973. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.100973
• Christensen, K. M., & Bezyak, J. (2020). Telehealth Use Among Rural Individuals with Disabilities
• Lam K, Lu AD, Shi Y, Covinsky KE. Assessing Telemedicine Unreadiness Among Older Adults in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Intern Med. Published online August 03, 2020. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.2671
• Reid, B. E., Vogler, C., & Alkebsi, Z. (2020, July). Telehealth and Telework Accessibility in a Pandemic-Induced Virtual World. In University of Colorado Law Review Forum (online)
• Valdez RS, Rogers CC, Claypool H, Trieshmann L, Frye O, Wellbeloved-Stone C, Kushalnagar P. Ensuring full participation of people with disabilities in an era of telehealth. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2021 Feb 15;28(2):389-392. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaa297. PMID: 33325524; PMCID: PMC7717308