The COVID-19 pandemic presents serious challenges to the resources and capacities of our nation’s healthcare delivery system. Several state and regional health authorities have recently issued treatment rationing directives to their local hospitals and provider networks that deprioritize ventilator access, treatment, and care for patients with disabilities in favor of younger, healthier, non-disabled patients. 

The American Association of People with Disabilities invites you to participate in a call on Friday, April 3, at 12 pm ET focused on the legal non-discrimination obligations for healthcare providers during the COVID-19 crisis. The call will address the following questions:

1. What are the rights of people with disabilities in the health care setting?

2. What are the legal obligations of providers to provide needed care to people with disabilities under federal law?

3. Are there model protocols, due process protections, and individualized assessments that providers and others should adopt to prevent disability bias and ensure legal compliance? 

This call will feature disability legal experts and healthcare subject-matter experts. 

Moderator: Ted Kennedy, Jr., Board Chair, American Association of People with Disabilities and Law Partner, Epstein Becker Green. 

Panelists:

Kara Ayers, Ph.D., Associate Director, UCEDD, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Assistant Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics Cincinnati Children’s Hospital 

Samuel Bagenstos, Professor of Law, University of Michigan

Jennifer Mathis, Deputy Director, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law 

Sylvia Yee, Senior Staff Attorney, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

CALL INFORMATION 
DATE: This call will take place at 12:00 PM ET, Friday, April 3rd. 
ACCESS: Captioning will be provided. 
REGISTER: Go to this website and click register. 
On the registration page you will be asked to provide your first and last name and your email. Once registered you will receive a web link and dial-in information.