School-Age
This page contains links to selected coronavirus (COVID-19) resources from trusted sources pertaining to school age children, including students with disabilities, for professionals, practitioners and families. Some resources require a PDF reader. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC here.
Assistive Technology
- A Guide for Maine Families on Assistive Technology and Accessible Education Materials (PDF) – From Maine CITE Coordinating Center, this guide is for Maine families of children who have disabilities ages birth to 20 years, who are eligible for services and/or programs under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Updated June 2020.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Supporting Individuals with Autism Through Uncertain Times (PDF) – A new online toolkit to help families and caregivers supporting children and young adults with autism during the COVID-19 epidemic. Developed by an interdisciplinary team from the School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Civil Rights
- Bulletin: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – dated March 28, 2020. Bulletin from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, to ensure that entities covered by civil rights authorities keep in mind their obligations under laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and exercise of conscience and religion in HHS-funded programs, including in the provision of health care services during COVID-19.
Education (please also see Remote Learning below)
- Teacher Resources – Maine Department of Education.
- Video message from Commissioner Pender Makin – Maine Department of Education.
Guidance for School Districts Providing Education during COVID-19 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
- Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students (PDF) – dated March 16, 2020.
- Supplemental Fact Sheet Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities (PDF) – dated March 21, 2020.
Health (Including Mental and Behavioral Health)
- Coronavirus: Staying Healthy Together – Easterseals.
Masks
- A Parent’s Guide: Helping Your Child Wear a Face Mask (PDF) – A brief guide for parents from the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, part of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; and Children’s Specialized Hospital.
Remote Learning
- Distance Learning for Special Education – Open source resources provided by educators and families from around the world to support the needs of students with significant disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Remote Learning Resources – Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST).
- Remote Use of Paraprofessional Supports for Students with Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF) – The University of Vermont Center on Disability & Community Inclusion
- Resources for Maine Educators Teaching Online – The Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE Program is designed to help make assistive technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who need them.
- Resources for Teaching Remotely – Resources from the Council for Exceptional Children to support special education professionals providing instruction outside the classroom during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Social Stories™
- My Social Distancing Story (PDF) – Illinois Autism Partnership.
Visual Supports
- Community Participation is Limited (PDF) – Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
- School is Closed (JEP) – Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
- Washing Your Hands (PDF) – Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.
Trauma-Informed Teaching
- A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching through Coronavirus – Teaching Tolerance. Experts from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network share their recommendations for educators supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.
Updated: 11/21/2022