Securing Vulnerable Populations, Educating the Next Generation

Securing Vulnerable Populations, Educating the Next Generation

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant concern arose for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). According to recent statistics, COVID was the leading cause of death for this vulnerable group in 2020. However, for many students with IDD, attending school is crucial due to their need for intensive sensory interaction, intervention, and socialization.

Recognising this need, the University of Rochester's Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) and the Mary Cariola Center joined forces to protect students with intellectual and developmental disabilities from COVID-19 and effectively control the spread of the virus within their schools.

The partnership between the two institutions focused on leveraging scientific research, clinical expertise, and practical experience in disability care to implement comprehensive safety measures tailored to the needs of these students.

Key actions in their collaboration included:

1. Developing Targeted Health Protocols: They created and adapted COVID-19 safety protocols specifically designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, considering their unique challenges with compliance, communication, and health vulnerabilities.
2. Providing Resources and Training: The teams offered training for caregivers and staff at the Mary Cariola Center on infection control, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and recognizing COVID-19 symptoms early in this population.
3. Implementing Testing and Monitoring: Together, they established regular screening and testing procedures to quickly identify cases and isolate infected individuals, thereby minimising outbreaks.
4. Conducting Research to Inform Practices: The IDDRC contributed research insights on the impact of COVID-19 on people with disabilities and evaluated the effectiveness of interventions applied at the Mary Cariola Center.
5. Promoting Vaccination: They organised vaccination drives and provided education to families and staff about the importance and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations.

Through this multifaceted collaboration, the University of Rochester's IDDRC and the Mary Cariola Center were able to create a safe and supportive environment that significantly reduced COVID-19 risks, ensuring continuity of care and education for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The project, funded by the NIH Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics-Underserved Populations (RADx-UP) program, allowed for onsite and mobile COVID testing in schools, providing a trust factor for many families about where and who was administering the test. The availability of testing was vital in reducing missed time due to illness, easing the burdens for staff and parents, and providing immediate results for those who did not feel well.

The team, which included a neuroscientist, virologist, nephrologist, a vice dean of research, the senior associate dean of clinical research, and the co-director of the IDDRC, used data from antibody levels and COVID tests to achieve herd immunity at the school. The data collected by this study could change how organisations respond to airborne viruses in settings that support the IDD community in the future.

The University of Rochester is one of eight with the "trifecta" of NIH awards related to intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The project led by Martin Zand and Christopher Seplaki created hundreds of models to understand the spread of an airborne virus in the school buildings, hallways, and classrooms. The team is working on publishing observations about their findings to provide fruitful information to others living and working in the IDD community on how they can mitigate the spread of airborne viruses.

1. Science played a crucial role in combating COVID-19 within schools for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
2. The University of Rochester's Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) recognized the unique needs of students with IDD during the pandemic.
3. The Mary Cariola Center partnered with the IDDRC to develop targeted health protocols for the IDD community.
4. Training for caregivers and staff on infection control and PPE use was an essential part of the collaboration.
5. Regular screening and testing procedures were implemented to quickly identify COVID-19 cases.
6. Research insights from the IDDRC informed the effectiveness of interventions applied at the Mary Cariola Center.
7. The importance and safety of COVID-19 vaccines for vulnerable populations was emphasized.
8. Vaccination drives and educational resources were provided to families and staff.
9. Onsite and mobile COVID testing was available, boosting families' trust in the testing process.
10. The availability of testing reduced missed time due to illness and eased burdens for staff and parents.
11. Immediate test results were provided for those who did not feel well.
12. Data from antibody levels and COVID tests were collected to achieve herd immunity at the school.
13. The University of Rochester is one of eight institutions with the "trifecta" of NIH awards related to IDD.
14. Martin Zand and Christopher Seplaki led a project creating hundreds of models to understand airborne virus spread in school settings.
15. The study's findings will provide useful information for the IDD community to mitigate airborne virus spread.
16. The IDDRC's research could change how organizations respond to airborne viruses in IDD community settings in the future.
17. Leadership from a neuroscientist, virologist, nephrologist, the vice dean of research, the senior associate dean of clinical research, and the co-director of the IDDRC drove the project's success.
18. Chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular health issues and neurological disorders, may affect individuals with IDD more severely when they contract COVID-19.
19. Mental health concerns should be addressed alongside physical health issues in the IDD community during and after the pandemic.
20. Entrepreneurship and small-business ownership can empower individuals with IDD to take control of their health and wellness.
21. Sustainable living, gardening, and budgeting can improve overall health, particularly for individuals with skin conditions.
22. Diversity and inclusion initiatives must extend to vulnerable populations like those with IDD during the pandemic and beyond.
23. Cybersecurity measures should safeguard individuals' personal and financial information, especially during times of increased online activity.
24. Technology advancements, such as artificial intelligence and data and cloud computing, can facilitate research and intervention in chronic diseases like cancer.
25. Lifestyle choices, like fitness and exercise, nutrition, and outdoor living, can promote overall health and wellness.
26. Fashion and beauty, food and drink, dining, interior design, and travel experiences can contribute to self-care and mental health for individuals with IDD.
27. Family dynamics, relationships, pets, and financial planning become increasingly important for individuals with IDD during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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