QWE Practice Guideline: 420: Provide a healthy and safe environment

Target group: Any organization employing individuals with disabilities

Practice Description

National Disability Institute (NDI) launched the #ResilientPwD text messaging campaign to deliver information, tips and interventions to people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. The texts, which are available by signing up for a free subscription, will be sent two times per week and are intended to help combat stress and feelings of isolation, build positive thinking, and establish new behavior patterns that promote emotional well-being and financial resilience.

Messaging is research based and vetted by a group of select individuals with diverse disabilities and chronic conditions. This content will equip people with disabilities and chronic conditions, offline and online, with new tools to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources Needed

• Staff and resources to make campaign information available
• Cellular phone with text capability (no data/internet required)

Implementation Process

• The #ResilientPwD activities connect to those with no internet access, provide participants with new ways to manage increased stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation and share their successful behavioral changes and positive feelings with friends and family by forwarding texts and, for those online, engaging in social media activities. NDI will share the text message content through Twitter and other social media platforms with the hashtag, #ResilientPwD, to allow people to share their personal experiences, tips and emotional responses to these positive interventions.
• People can sign up to receive these messages by texting RESILIENT to 833-632-0273 or by visiting nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/resilientpwd  
• Documentation
  • #ResilientPwD Sign Up Page https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/resilientpwd
  • Outreach Toolkit https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/resilientpwd-outreach-toolkit/

NPA: National Disability Institute
Location: Washington, D.C.
Date Submitted: 2020
Website: https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/

Resources: Quality Work Environment Workbook