[IL-Talk] Fwd: Disability Vaccine Working Group update

Wed Mar 10 17:18:24 UTC 2021

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Begin forwarded message:

> From: Rachel Arfa <Rachel.Arfa at cityofchicago.org>
> Date: March 10, 2021 at 11:07:05 AM CST
> To: Nafia Lee <nafia at thearcofil.org>, Katelyn Yoshimoto <katelyn_yoshimoto at jtpr.com>, nafia.lee at gmail.com
> Cc: Christina McGleam <christina.mcgleam at cityofchicago.org>, bhayman at accessliving.org, amiles at accessliving.org, jjpak at uic.edu, Barry Taylor <BarryT at equipforequality.org>, davant1958 at gmail.com, dbekiri5 at gmail.com, kaguilar <kaguilar at anixter.org>, villalobosr at me.com, eblum at ada25advancingleadership.org, roosheyh at uic.edu, rhychell_barnes at att.net, yowolf24 at gmail.com, Michele Lee <michele.lee at aon.com>, greg.polman at chicagolighthouse.org, wflanigan at envisionunlimited.org, knightdahla at gmail.com, Gabriela Wagener-Sobrero <Gabriela.Wagener-Sobrero at cityofchicago.org>, Rachel Bernard <Rachel.Bernard at cityofchicago.org>, Tamara Mahal <Tamara.Mahal at cityofchicago.org>, Ivonne Sambolin <Ivonne.Sambolin at cityofchicago.org>, linneawilliamson54 at gmail.com, Megan Cunningham <Megan.Cunningham at cityofchicago.org>, Laurie Dittman <Laurie.Dittman at cityofchicago.org>, tara.advocacy at gmail.com, krescenebeck at gmail.com, meg at thearcofil.org, Faye Thanas <Faye.Thanas at cityofchicago.org>, VOC <VOC at cityofchicago.org>, kmeskin at progresscil.org, Kimberly.Mercer-Schleider at illinois.gov, Daniel Anderegg <Daniel.Anderegg at cityofchicago.org>, Alyse Kittner <Alyse.Kittner at cityofchicago.org>, Antonio King <Antonio.King at cityofchicago.org>, Sandi Brown <Sandi.Brown at cityofchicago.org>, "Hamer-Sinclair, Mariel" <Mariel.Hamer-Sinclair at illinois.gov>
> Subject: Re: Disability Vaccine Working Group update
> 
> 
> Hi all -
> A quick update that the information I shared with you yesterday, is now on the United Center vaccine website, listed under "Accessibility and Support Services."   Note that the link for the Red Cap in home vaccination program is also posted.  We will continue to add information and updates as they become available.   We are working on getting a map of the United Center vacccine set up, and will add to this link.  Please feel free to share this link with your networks.
> 
> Link: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/united-center.html
> 
> United Center - chicago.gov
> To ensure equitable access by suburban Cook County residents, Cook County has been allocated appointment slots at the United Center. Cook County will announce the process of scheduling those appointments in the coming days through the news media and through vaccine.cookcountyil.gov.For vaccine access in suburban Cook County, individuals without access to technology can call 833-308-1988 Monday ...
> www.chicago.gov
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Rachel 
> 
>> Rachel Arfa
>> Commissioner, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
>> City of Chicago
>> Phone: (312) 744-7209
>> Fax: (312) 744-3314
>> www.cityofchicago.org/Disabilities
>> Pronouns: she/her/hers
> 
> From: Rachel Arfa <Rachel.Arfa at cityofchicago.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 7:39 PM
> To: Nafia Lee <nafia at thearcofil.org>; Katelyn Yoshimoto <katelyn_yoshimoto at jtpr.com>
> Cc: Christina McGleam <christina.mcgleam at cityofchicago.org>; bhayman at accessliving.org <bhayman at accessliving.org>; amiles at accessliving.org <amiles at accessliving.org>; jjpak at uic.edu <jjpak at uic.edu>; Barry Taylor <BarryT at equipforequality.org>; davant1958 at gmail.com <davant1958 at gmail.com>; dbekiri5 at gmail.com <dbekiri5 at gmail.com>; kaguilar <kaguilar at anixter.org>; villalobosr at me.com <villalobosr at me.com>; eblum at ada25advancingleadership.org <eblum at ada25advancingleadership.org>; roosheyh at uic.edu <roosheyh at uic.edu>; rhychell_barnes at att.net <rhychell_barnes at att.net>; yowolf24 at gmail.com <yowolf24 at gmail.com>; Michele Lee <michele.lee at aon.com>; Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org <Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org>; wflanigan at envisionunlimited.org <wflanigan at envisionunlimited.org>; knightdahla at gmail.com <knightdahla at gmail.com>; Gabriela Wagener-Sobrero <Gabriela.Wagener-Sobrero at cityofchicago.org>; Rachel Bernard <Rachel.Bernard at cityofchicago.org>; Tamara Mahal <Tamara.Mahal at cityofchicago.org>; Ivonne Sambolin <Ivonne.Sambolin at cityofchicago.org>; linneawilliamson54 at gmail.com <linneawilliamson54 at gmail.com>; Megan Cunningham <Megan.Cunningham at cityofchicago.org>; Laurie Dittman <Laurie.Dittman at cityofchicago.org>; tara.advocacy at gmail.com <tara.advocacy at gmail.com>; krescenebeck at gmail.com <krescenebeck at gmail.com>; meg at thearcofil.org <meg at thearcofil.org>; Faye Thanas <Faye.Thanas at cityofchicago.org>; VOC <VOC at cityofchicago.org>; kmeskin at progresscil.org <kmeskin at progresscil.org>; Kimberly.Mercer-Schleider at illinois.gov <Kimberly.Mercer-Schleider at illinois.gov>; Daniel Anderegg <Daniel.Anderegg at cityofchicago.org>; Alyse Kittner <Alyse.Kittner at cityofchicago.org>; Antonio King <Antonio.King at cityofchicago.org>; Sandi Brown <Sandi.Brown at cityofchicago.org>; Hamer-Sinclair, Mariel <mariel.hamer-sinclair at illinois.gov>
> Subject: Disability Vaccine Working Group update
>  
> Hi all -
> 
> Our next vaccine working group meeting is on March 18, from 12-1pm.  We had hoped to re-schedule for this week but ran into several scheduling conflicts.   ASL interpretation and captioning will be available - please contact me with any other accessibility requests for the meeting.  
> 
> Update on United Center vaccine site: 
> United Center's vaccine site opens up tomorrow.   Currently, there are  6100 vaccine appointments available per day, and the Pfizer vaccine is being administered.  The first two weeks require navigating through different stations, and in approximately two weeks, a drive through option will become available.  Both options are currently scheduled to open through the end of June. 
> 
> MOPD's Accessibility Compliance Unit did a site visit this morning to assess physical accessibility of the vaccine site, and the vaccination crew is already working on implementing our team's recommendations.  For example, there were some potholes near the accessible parking - the crew is already filling in the potholes as of this afternoon.  I, along with other members of our MOPD team, did a site visit this afternoon and assessed communication accessibility.  There are several measures in place to meet accessibility needs.   Some general information to highlight: 
> Entrance and drop off point is the entire block of Madison, east of Wood Street. 
> An ADA assistance area is set up in the front entrance tent.  This ADA assistance area has significant capacity to be expanded based on need.  If an individual prefers not to move from station to station when inside the tent, the ADA assistance area is a fixed location. 
> Tip: ask to receive the vaccine in the ADA assistance area if your disability makes it more difficult to move from station to station.  In this area, there are sets of two chairs, so that a companion can sit with you.  
> The alternate option is to move from station to station in the subsequent (very large) tents.  The stations are:  (1) main registration check in, (2) vaccine station and (3) post-vaccine resting room.  individuals will be assigned to the 15 minute post-vaccine room, unless on their registration, they check that they have had adverse side effects in the past and will then be assigned a different area, to rest for 30 minutes post receiving the vaccine.  
> When you arrive, you will need to show your appointment confirmation, by presenting the QR code in your confirmation email.   If you do not have access to email or a phone, there will be two printers and staff will assist you in printing your appointment confirmation.  You will not need to present any other information, and do not need to present any paperwork verifying your disability.  The only document needed is your QR code or paper print out of the QR code verifying your appointment.   
> The advance registration process now asks for any accessibility needs; prior to a visit, the accessibility request is reviewed, and will also be flagged the morning of the visit for the onsite staff to ensure preparation. 
> Clear masks are available by request.  
> ASL interpretation will be provided via two ways: (1) Video Remote Interpreting, through a FEMA VRI contract with a nationwide ASL interpreting agency.  To access VRI, go to www.FEMAVRI.com, using a smartphone or tablet.  There are tablets set up on every table for VRI, and also available to connect with foreign language interpretation.  An onsite ASL interpreter is available, and based on need, additional onsite ASL interpreters can be requested.   
> There is a wheelchair valet available just past the entrance for anyone who needs a wheelchair, and also includes a wheelchair escort. 
> Staff are available to provide wayfinding assistance.  
> Accessible parking is available, and there are shuttle buses from the parking lots to the entrance.  The shuttlebus is accessible and has a ramp.   
> Service animals are welcome, and staff are aware to permit service animals.  
> Right now, it is estimated the entire experience will take approximately 45 minutes, which can vary on if you need 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes to rest after receiving the vaccination.    This number may vary, but wanted to give you a general idea.  It is recommended you bring your own snacks or water if needed.  
> If an individual is taking Pace paratransit, be sure to let the team providing assistance know.  There are a number of options available, including being able to stay in their seat (where they received the vaccine), until Pace Paratransit arrives.  If for some reason, that is not available, there are some additional options available.   
> An accessible restroom is available; it is recommended you use the restroom prior to your visit.  
> Information is available here about who is eligible to make an appointment - senior citizens or those who qualify under 1b+, and also about accessibility. 
> https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid19-vaccine/home/united-center.html
> 
> CDPH and  the Chicago Fire Department are working together to provide in home vaccination for senior citizens 65+ and also to individuals with disabilities who are not able to travel to a vaccine site.   To sign up, fill out this attached survey, and please feel free to share with your networks: https://redcap.dph.illinois.gov/surveys/?s=NC9XC3889P 
> 
> We are working on getting a map of the set up at United Center and will pass that along.   
> 
> We will keep you posted as more information becomes available, and as always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.  
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Rachel 
> 
>> Rachel Arfa
>> Commissioner, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
>> City of Chicago
>> Phone: (312) 744-7209
>> Fax: (312) 744-3314
>> www.cityofchicago.org/Disabilities
>> Pronouns: she/her/hers
> 
> 