Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 is an highly infectious disease caused by a coronavirus.
For COVID-19 information and support for people with disability or help booking a COVID-19 Vaccine contact the Disability Gateway https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/coronavirus (external link).
If you are worried or concerned about COVID-19, you can get support on this website or call the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787. The Disability Gateway is a free service available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEDT / AEST). It is not available on national public holidays.
We have provided some reliable information about COVID-19 below that you may find useful.
Watch First People’s Disability Network's (external website) Auslan video about Coronavirus:
Nine steps to help you stay healthy
The World Health Organisation has provided the following steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:
- wear a high quality well-fitted mask when indoors or when physical distancing is not possible
- wash your hands with soap and warm water often
- make sure you have good airflow indoors. see further guidance on ventilation and Covid-19
- cover your cough with the bend in your elbow or use a tissue and throw it away afterwards
- avoid crowded or busy places and keep a big space between you and other people
- stay at home if you feel unwell – even if you only have a slight fever or cough
- if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early and call by phone first
- keep up to date with the latest information
- get vaccinated
Tip: The Australian Government Disability Gateway is regularly updated with information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) (external link).
COVID-19 testing
If you feel unwell, or have symptoms of a cold or flu, you should contact your doctor and ask about being tested for COVID-19.
When you contact your doctor’s clinic, you should tell the staff about your symptoms. You should also let them know if you’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
There are two ways to test for COVID-19:
1. PCR test
The COVID-19 PCR test involves a swab being taken from the back of your throat and up your nose. You can get a PCR test by booking into a testing centre in your state or territory. If you have any concerns about the test, you should talk to your doctor about this. You will usually receive results 1-5 days after you have the test. You must remain isolated in your home or accommodation while you are waiting for the results of your test. If your test is positive, you must continue to isolate for the period required in your state or territory.
2. Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)
The COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is a home test kit where you use a swab up your nose and test the results in a tube yourself. The result will be available within 10-15 minutes.
You can buy RATs from supermarkets and chemists. Some testing centres and hospitals also give them out for free.
Tip: If you’re sick and think you might have Coronavirus, you can check your symptoms using Health Direct’s COVID-19 Symptom Checker (external link).
COVID-19 Vaccine
Australia has rolled out a vaccination program to help protect you from COVID-19. Primary course vaccination is recommended for all people aged 5 years or older, and for children aged 6 months to 5 years in a specified risk group.
People with disability or an underlying health condition are advised to speak to your GP about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
You can book in for a COVID-19 vaccination via the online Health Direct website (external link) or with your general practitioner directly. COVID-19 vaccines are free. Some pharmacies also offer vaccinations.
There are two types of vaccine currently available in Australia, Pfizer and Moderna.
With either of these vaccines you have your first immunisation and then your second immunisation 3-6 weeks later. Some people who are immunocompromised or at higher risk of getting very sick need regular boosters. Talk to your doctor about what's best for you.
National COVID-19 Helpline
If you need information about COVID-19 vaccines or help help to book an appointment, you can call 1800 020 080 or use the National Relay Service (external link).
COVID-19 updates
There is a lot of information circulating about COVID-19, but not all of it is reliable. Below we have listed some places you can go for up to date information on COVID-19.
Australian Government COVID-19 website
The Australian Government COVID-19 website (external link) is regularly updated to give you the latest Coronavirus news, updates and advice from government agencies across Australia.
Disability Gateway Helpline and Website
The Australian government has set up the disability gateway to get information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the COVID-19 vaccine.
For COVID-19 information and support for people with disability or help booking a COVID-19 Vaccine contact the Disability Gateway https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/coronavirus (external link).
You can call the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787. The Disability Gateway is a free service available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEDT / AEST). It is not available on national public holidays.
Issues for women with disability
Domestic and family violence
Due to social distancing and self-isolation requirements, women, including children, may be at higher risk of experiencing domestic violence, abuse and other threats to their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone you know is self-isolating, you may want to organise with a friend or family member to regularly check up on each other.
If you are in danger call 000.
If you are experiencing violence you can call 1800RESPECT for support, counselling and referral. Call 1800 737 732 or chat to someone online (external link).
Tip: you can learn more about violence and where to get help in our section about Safety and Violence.
Many people are experiencing financial strain due to the impacts of Covid-19 and cost of living crisis. The Pandemic leave disaster payment ended in September 2022. You can find out what kinds of support payments you may be eligible for at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
Tip: There are also charities who can help if you are in desperate circumstances. Find out more on the Disability Service Consulting website (external link).
Access to healthcare
As people are required to self-isolate more and more, many women with disability are worried about access to healthcare and medications.
The Federal Government’s recent expansion of Telehealth services means that you can access doctors, nurses, specialists and allied health providers remotely if you are an Australian citizen. This means that you can talk to the healthcare provider, get scripts, medications and referrals over the phone or online.
If you require this service you should ask your doctor or healthcare provider about their Telehealth options.
Tip: Instascript is an app that you can use on your computer or phone to fill a prescription online and have it sent directly to your local pharmacy. Learn more on the Instascript website (external link)
Tip: You can learn more about Telehealth and how it works on the Doctors on Demand website (external link).
Access to support workers and advocates
As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, many women and girls with disability are concerned about whether they will have access to support workers and advocates. If you are concerned you should ask your regular support worker about the support you will receive during the COVID-19 crisis.
Support workers
If you need to look for a new support worker, you can use online databases to do this like Hire Up (external link) or Mable (external link).
You can also find NDIS registered services and support workers on the National Disability Insurance Scheme website (external link).
Disability advocacy
Disability advocacy is work an individual, a group or an organisation does to stop a person with disability being treated badly, or to help a person with disability with any issues they may have.
You can find an advocate using the Australian Government Disability Advocacy Finder (external link).
Anxiety, stress and depression
If you are feeling more anxious than usual or struggling to deal with additional stress due to the current Coronavirus outbreak, there is support available.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue have created a Fact Sheet on how to deal with your mental health and the coronavirus (external link).
Beyond Blue also offers short term counselling and referrals. You can call 1300 22 4636 or chat online (external link).
Lifeline
If you are thinking about taking your own life or experiencing a personal crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat to someone online (external link).
Tip: You can join WWDA's Facebook group to be part of our community of women and girls with disability (external link).
Social isolation
To stay healthy and avoid the spread of the virus, many people are being asked to or are choosing to self-isolate. While this is very important to stop the spread of the virus, it also means that it is now more important than ever to stay connected with others in our community.
Communicating with friends, family and colleagues
There are some great ways that you can continue to communicate with family and friends when you are isolated at home including:
- Zoom video calls (external link)
- Skype video calls (external link)
- Facetime video calls (external link)
- phone calls, text messages or letters
- online groups or events on Facebook (external link) or EventBrite (external link).
Tip: Download WWDA’s Plain English guide to using Zoom Meetings.
Things to do
If you are struggling or bored in isolation, it can help to take up a new hobby or do an online course.
Tip: You can learn more about educational opportunities and hobbies in the Lead and Take Part section of this website.