Emerging research is beginning to document the challenges and impacts of long-term stress associated with parenting during unprecedented times. We are in the early stages of understanding how life has changed for our society and millions of families due to COVID and are still wrestling with the complex and pervasive problem of racism in our country. However, the voices and lived experiences of parents with disabilities has not been well analyzed or documented.

The impact of the pandemic has shaken and changed how parents with disabilities access services such as groceries, health/child care, transportation, which had known system level challenges prior to the existence of COVID-19. Many parents have had to face multiple questions surrounding the safety of their children. Questions of whether they would have access to equitable health care amidst the prospect of rationing care. And questions of how prioritization of vaccine access factors in the needs of those who are medically fragile or vulnerable due to not only health condition(s) but also their status as a disabled individual relying on others which heightens risk for exposure.

Through this presentation, we will share both of the presenters’ lived experiences as parents with disabilities, and innovative solutions that have emerged because of the pandemic. Participants will gain an understanding of the challenges faced by parents with disabilities, how we can offer support to disabled parents and build more community, and how the lessons we’ve learned can be turned into establishing inclusive and responsive environments for parents with disabilities.