We’ve been helping a host of partners over the last few months to get the ADHS to prioritize persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities for vaccination. Our original goal (going back to December) was to get the ADHS to put folks with disabilities into Category 1b like many other states had done. While those living in group homes were prioritized, all others were not, despite the compelling evidence that many of them are at high risk for a bad outcome. We were unsuccessful at convincing Director Christ to take this important action but we didn’t give up.
When the ADHS went to the strictly age-based system, we pointed out that persons with disabilities under the age of 55 (who had been waiting patiently in line in Category 1c) now had to wait even longer- until their age was called. It didn’t work, but we didn’t give up.
Fortunately, continued advocacy by the ARC of Arizona, Special Olympics, the DDPC, the ACDL, and Ability 360 was successful in scoring a special-needs vaccination event next weekend at the Disability Empowerment Center in Phoenix.
The event will be on Saturday, April 10 from 2:30pm to 9:00pm and on Sunday, April 11 from 8am to 6pm. Appointments are required and can be scheduled with Passport Health at Clinic Sign Up Information (passporthealthglobal.com).
