A Letter From Our Founder

 

I hope everyone is staying healthy and are following the WHO guidelines. We are facing an unprecedented time with COVID-19. There is no known treatment for this severe virus and we all wait anxiously for the virus to cease. Our medical healthcare team is working tirelessly to save lives with a shortage of supplies and hospital beds.  We are witnessing first hand staggering numbers of positive cases and death toll. As I write this, my prayers and thoughts are with anyone affected or knows someone who has the virus.

According to the World Health Organization, there are a few things we can do to prevent infection and slow the spread: 

👉  Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.

👉  Avoid touching your face.

👉  Cover your mouth and nose  with your arm or tissue (not your hand) when coughing or sneezing.

👉  Stay home if you feel unwell.

👉  Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Here at Different & Able, we wanted to provide you with resources that may be helpful during this difficult time. Please see our extensive list below.

Stay safe!

Alexandra Nicklas

NYC Coronavirus Information

 

For up to date on the coronavirus, call the number or visit the website listed below. These resources are from New York City.  

Phone: 311

Hotline: 888-364-3065

Website: NYC COVID-19 Information 

 

·      Relief

For help paying your rent and bills due to coronavirus layoffs, call the hotline below for assistance. 

Hotline: 866-211-9966

 

·   Unemployment

If you have been fired or laid off, apply for unemployment. The two week waiting period has been waived for New York City.

Website: New York Unemployment Assistance

 

·      SNAP Benefits 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that helps low-income families have access to fresh produce and food. They provide a special card that can be used to buy groceries.

Website: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

 

·    Emergency Cash Assistance

If you have been laid off or fired due to the coronavirus, apply for emergency cash assistance that can be used to pay bills and rent.

Website: Emergency Cash Assistance

 

·      Coping

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has provided information on how to manage stress and anxiety that are caused from the coronavirus epidemic. These resources include information for individuals, parents, first responders, and people who have been released from quarantine.  

Website: NYC Stress Coping Skills for COVID-19

Website: CDC Manage Anxiety & Stress  

 

·    Assistive Technology

If your child needs an assistive technology device, call the number or visit the website listed below.

Website: https://www.includenyc.org/content/includenycs-response-to-covid-19

 

Care

 

·    Rights Protection

If you are disabled or have been diagnosed with a mental illness and feel your rights are being violated, reach out to your state’s Protection and Advocacy Agency. They will provide you the support and assistance that you deserve.

Website: List of Protection and Advocacy Agencies

 

·      Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC

The action line provides service from allowing users to call with questions about disability, or if they just wish to speak to someone.  Everything is confidential. Helping Hands for the Disabled provides help with everyday obstacles that people may face such as shopping, running errands, eating and other daily life activities. 

Phone: 718-606-9712

Website: www.hhdnyc.org

Document: A letter from a doctor confirming disability

 

·    Health Home

The Health Home service is a group of health care workers who help individuals ensure they get the care they need and deserve. Individuals who are approved will have a care manager who will map out the care and services that are needed to ensure optimal health. Home Health provides care coordination, transportation, help to obtain food, and help with many other needs.

Eligibility; Enrolled in Medicaid AND must have: two or more chronic conditions OR one single qualifying condition OR Serious Mental Illness (SMI) OR Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) OR Complex Trauma. 

Website: Health Home Website 

 

·     INCLUDEnyc

INCLUDEnyc has been helping young people (Birth to 26 years) with disabilities and their families since 1983. They help young people with getting access to services, health care, and support for the family.

Phone: 212-677-4650

Text: 646-693-3175

Hotline: 212-677-4660- Provides “1 to 1 help” Monday to Thursday 9AM-3PM

Website: INCLUDEnyc

 

·   ADAPT Community Network

Provides direct services and advocacy to children and adults with cerebral palsy and related disabilities. Services include: early intervention, adult residential and day programs, vocational and supported employment programs, recreational programs for children and adolescents as well as comprehensive health care services. 

Phone: 877-827-2666

 

·      AHRC New York City  

This agency provides a wide-range of services for the ID/DD population, and this is the central intake to access these services. Services include: Counseling services, psychological and psychosocial testing, speech, physical and occupational therapy evaluations, educational advocacy, home health care, case management, adult day and vocational services, camps, respite, residential services, and sibling support. Also assist with: family reimbursement and legal services (guardianship, future planning).

Phone: 212-780-4491

 

·   Insurance for Children

Insure Kids Now is an organization that helps families get their children health services that include health, vision, dental, and other medical treatments and devices as needed.

Website: https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/

 

·      Center for Human Development and Family Services 

The Center for Human Development and Family Services (CHDFS) provides multiple resources for families who have children with physical or mental disabilities. They can provide speech/language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vision therapy, sensory integration therapy, feeding, family training, respite work, and many more if eligible. They also provide care management, wellness services and home & community-based services.

Website: CHDFS Programs  

 

Grocery Shopping

 

·      Target

Target announced that it would reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for "vulnerable guests," including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. 

Website: Target Shopping for the Elderly & At Risk Populations  

 

·   Walmart

Walmart is adding an hour long "senior shopping event" every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older from March 24 to April 28. This would start one hour before the store opens to the public and includes its pharmacies and vision centers.

Website: Walmart Early Shopping Hours  

 

·      Fairway Market 

Fairway Market is reserving 8AM to 9AM, from Monday to Friday, for shoppers aged 65 and older and people with "increased susceptibility to serious illness". 

 

·   Stop & Shop

Stop & Shop will open its doors from 6AM to 7:30 AM for customers aged 60 and older as well as people who are at-risk. Though they won’t require I.D. for entry during these hours, the company said in a statement it will "reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group.

 

·      Whole Foods

Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will service customers 60 years of age and older one hour before opening to the public.

 

·     Dollar Tree

Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers.

 

Internet

 

·      Spectrum Broadband & WiFi

Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. 

Phone: 1-844-488-8395

Website: Charter Communications- Free Spectrum Broadband & WiFi

 

Food 

 

·      Helping Hands for the Disabled of NYC 

The food pantry provides food to people with disabilities age 18 and over.  People must come in to pick up their food. The food pantry also makes deliveries on the 3rd Saturday of each month, and it is only for people who are blind or in a wheelchair. There is $20 Membership fee for deliveries, which may be waived if eligible.  

Phone: 718-606-9712

Website: www.hhdnyc.org

 

·   Food Bank for NYC

The Food Bank for NYC is operating and taking precautions from the CDC. If you need food, go on the website to find the closet pantry near you. 

Website: Food Bank NYC 

 

·      Food and Hunger Hotline

Provides emergency referrals to soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the city. This automated hotline will provide the hours of operation and directions to the emergency feeding program closest to the client.

Hotline:: 866-888-8777

 

·      City Meals

To qualify for home-delivered meals, a person must be at least 60 years old. In addition, the individual must have a chronic physical or mental disability preventing him or her from shopping for food or preparing meals for himself or herself.

Website: Find out if you’re eligible to Get Meals

 

·   Feeding America

Feeding America ensures that individuals and families get food they need during these stressful times. Feeding America is working with school districts and local government agencies to ensure that the 22 million children who rely on school meals have access to food outside of the classroom. They are building an inventory of emergency food boxes to distribute to food banks across the country as the need for food assistance increases.

Website: Find Your Local Food Bank

Website: COVID-19 Response  

 

Education 

 

·      Comic about the Coronavirus for Children 

This is a printable comic that can be used to help children learn about the coronavirus. 

Coronavirus Educational Comic  

 

·    Beeline Reader

 BeeLine Reader is an online tool that improves the reading ability of students of all ages and skill levels. By displaying text using color gradients that wrap from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, BeeLine facilitates visual tracking and enables the reader to focus on other aspects of reading, such as decoding and comprehension. Free access to the BeeLine Reader Browser Plugin for Chrome through September 2020. Email education@BeeLineReader.com for a free account!

Website: https://www.beelinereader.com/education

 

·      Little Twisters Yoga Activities for Children with Autism 

For kids ages 2 and up, this resource provides tips on how to engage kids through yoga. Fun printable lessons like Space Shape Yoga and Kids Yoga Cards are free for all during the COVID-19 school closure and quarantine.

Website: https://littletwistersyoga.com/

 

·   Activities for Children with Autism 

This is a website that has 30 different activities that can be calming and fun for children with Autism. Many are engaging and are bound to keep your child busy while the schools are closed.

Website: https://www.merakilane.com/indoor-activities-for-kids-with-autism/

 

Crisis Intervention

  

·   NYC Well

NYC Well is New York City’s free, confidential support, crisis intervention, and information and referral service for anyone who seeks help for mental health and/or substance misuse concerns, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NYC Well is staffed by trained professionals who can help you find the services that best meet your needs.

Phone: 1-888-692-9355

Text: “Well” to 65173

Website:  Chat with NYC Well

 

·       Crisis Text Line  

Counselors are available 24/7 and are there to support and talk to individuals who are stressed, overwhelmed and feeling alone. This service is free for everybody to use.

Text: CONNECT to 741741 

 

·   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Phone: 1-800-273-8255

Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/