Resources - National Disability Services

Useful links and numbers

COVIDSafe App

Symptom Checker

Disability Information Helpline
1800 643 787 M-F
8:00am to 8:00pm (AEST)

Coronavirus Health
Information Line
1800 020 080

Beyond Blue Coronavirus
mental wellbeing support service
1800 512 348

COVID-19 Hub Home Member Only Resources

Information and support for Victorian service providers

Victorian COVID-19 Response News Updates Upcoming Webinars Recorded Webinars Questions and Answers Resources Training

These resources include documents endorsed by DHHS, and others which have been developed by disability services and are being shared with the sector for adaption and use.

Immediate Response

First 24 hours: Steps to take in response to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis

Download Word(44KB)Download Accessible Word(35KB)

Note: This document has been developed by SCOPE Australia and reviewed by DHHS, and is being made available for use and adaption by service providers. NDS wishes to acknowledge and thank SCOPE for making this publicly available.

Information and links are accurate as at 12 August 2020. Providers are encouraged to regularly review DHHS updates.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in disability services - Immediate Action Steps

Developed by DHHS, this plan is designed to enable disability service providers to continue essential services to people with disability. This advice gives guidance on how the disability sector can operate and prioritise their efforts in this current stage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response.

Download Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreaks in disability services - Immediate Action Steps (Word)

Planning

COVID-19 Outbreak Management Self-Assessment tool

A COVID-19 self-assessment tool has been developed by DHHS for disability residential services providers to review their preparations for instantly responding to a COVID-19 outbreak.

Download COVID-19 Outbreak Management Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool for Disability Residential Services Part 1 (Word)

Download COVID-19 Outbreak Management Preparedness Self-Assessment Tool for Disability Residential Services Part 2 (Word)

It is recommended that providers use the tool at each of their sites as soon as practicable.

Detailed guidance for the management of COVID-19 outbreaks is also available via the Australian Government Department of Health.

Advice and Information

COVID-19 Plan for Disability Services - DHHS Disability
COVID-19 information and support - NDIS
Infection prevention control resources - DHHS
Detailed information on claiming for PPE - NDIS
NDIS Commission and COVID-19 - NDIS Commission
Information and Referrals for PWD - Department of Social Services (Cth)
Disposing clinical waste - Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Disposing of PPE at home and in the workplace - Environment Protection Authority Victoria
Infection control posters and promotional material – DHHS
Health and Aged Care Sector - Department of Health (Cth)
COVID-19 Info Hub - Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Guidelines and resources for environmental cleaning - DHHS

Human Rights

Disability Royal Commission and COVID-19 - Disability Royal Commission
Human rights and COVID-19 (Cth) - Australian Human Rights Commission
Human rights and COVID-19 (Vic) - Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

Resources for people with disability

NDIS and COVID-19 - Every Australian Counts
Intellectual disability - VALID
Families of children with disabilities - Association for Children with a Disability
COVID-19 Info Hub - People with Disability Australia
Ethnic communities and COVID-19 - Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities
People with Asthma and COVID-19 - Asthma Australia
Women with disabilities and COVID-19 (Cth) - Women with Disabilities Australia
Wheelchair Users and COVID-19 - Nu Motion
Vision impairment and COVID-19 - Blind Citizens Australia
Information in Community Languages - Ethnolink
Information for First Nations People - First People's Disability Network
Women with disabilities and COVID-19 (Vic) - Women with Disabilities Victoria
Vision impairment and COVID-19 - Guide Dogs Victoria
Communication resources for understanding and staying safe from the coronavirus (COVID-19) - Scope Australia. A collection of Key Word Sign resources, Communication aids, Easy English resources and Social stories to help you understand, explain, and talk about the coronavirus
Easy English guide - Do I have to wear a face mask? - DHHS
Easy English guide - What is PPE? - Access Easy English

Badges for Victorians who are unable to wear face masks

Every person living in Victoria must wear a face covering when they leave home. However, the DHHS has listed a number of Lawful excuses or exceptions for not wearing a face covering in public.

The DHHS has created badges that can be printed or displayed on a Smartphone for anyone who is exempt and has a valid reason for not wearing a face mask. These badges highlight that a person is exempt from wearing a mask, or requests that another person remove their mask so they can understand each other better. It is a person’s choice to use the badges.