New Partnership Guide for Centers for Independent Living and State and Local Health Departments
Vaccinating people with disabilities poses unique challenges, including ensuring the accessibility of vaccination sites. To address these challenges, successful vaccine programs for people with disabilities will best be achieved through collaboration with disability-led organizations such as Centers for Independent Living (CILs), who are subject matter experts and recognized leaders in their communities. We are excited to share the CDC Foundation’s release of the "Partnership Guide for Centers for Independent Living and State and Local Health Departments". The Partnership Guide is the outcome of a 15-month project focused on improving COVID-19 vaccination access for people with disabilities by partnering with 39 CILs across the United States. It was developed with feedback gathered from listening sessions with CILs, led by the CDC Foundation and a series of focus group sessions conducted with health departments by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). Able South Carolina and Independent Living Utilization Research (ILRU) worked closely with the CDC Foundation to create an accessible digital guide. This tool provides resources and information that will support effective and sustainable partnerships between CILs and health departments.