#offthegridCOVID19
Full-Access Resource Hub for the Deaf Community during Covid-19
What is #offthegridCOVID19
A centralized location of accessible content and resources for the Deaf Community during Covid-19. All persons with disabilities are included!
Introduction, click to watch!
SUPPLIES
REMOTE LIFE
SPECIAL STORE HOURS
FREE MEALS
FAQs
GEAR
Face-Masks & Sanitizers
Face-Mask “Deaf-Friendly” Tips
TIPS from the Deaf Community
Support by Purchasing a Limited Edition Facemask
Do-It-Yourself Face-Mask Tutorials
How-To Properly Wash Your Hands
You can protect yourself and help prevent the spreading of viruses to others by washing your hands. Watch this fantastic tutorial of our partner, Jamie Harper – as she explains how to properly wash your hands!
SHOP Soaps & Sanitizers + DIY
Soaps & Sanitizers
Full Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. While we work to create a hub of centralized and accessible information for the Deaf Community, COVID-19 is an emerging disease. New knowledge is added daily and resources may change as the situation evolves. Please consult the CDC website regularly for the most up-to-date information. Off-The-Grid Missions, make no warranties, either express or implied, that the products on this website prevent infection or the transmission of viruses or diseases.
Remote Life
Connecting, Working, Teaching, and Learning @ Home
Parents and teachers are scrambling to learn online technologies, and find content that is accessible. Thanks to the Deaf Community, we are centralizing a ton of accessible educational content!
Online learning can be challenging as it is, now parents and teachers are having to transition without any time to prepare and in an environment that is also incredibly isolating. So we are providing tools such as videos, tips, and technologies that are Deaf-Friendly (accessible, captioned, or in ASL). Have a suggestion? We would love input!
Gallery of Educator Tools
These TECHNOLOGIES are making Connecting, Working, Teaching, and Learning FROM HOME much easier!
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FREE MEALS
Nutrition for those in need.
“Grab-n-Go” FREE Meals by WCK
Meals are currently being prepared by chefs of World Central Kitchen in various locations around the US. Note: stay updated as locations do change.
Featured
SCHOOLS PROVIDING MEALS FOR STUDENTS & TEENS:
Featured
TIP: Clearly this section could use some work. Please ask around your local community, schools, and organizations to see who and where they are providing free meals, then let us know and we will add it here!
SPECIAL STORE HOURS
Essential Stores Providing
Access for Deaf/Hh People
So far, most stores providing special hours to shop are only allowing access to persons with a “physical” disability. Therefore, this excludes individuals who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Below is a list of stores providing access for ALL individuals with a disability.
TIP: Share this page to encourage more businesses to provide access!
SCROLL to the right to see all stores
With the Sun
We Will Rise
A Message from The Founder
“Our frontlines team has this thing…
‘We can not control the rising of the sun, yet it is the one thing we can rely on to rise after every disaster. So we wait for it. We rely on it to communicate. Sign Language. To charge our devices. Our souls. To find people. To stay safe. When the sun sets, it is not abandoning us, it is telling us to rest. We can not control the sun, just like we can not control the disasters. But we know it will rise again at the same time it did the day before, and so will we.’
That’s what we say, what we believe, and how we focus in the aftermath of natural disasters. Covid-19 is different. We are not trekking into isolated regions of the world –because now we too, are isolated. Furthermore, we are witnessing the “cut-off” before, during, and after a disaster that mostly affects Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind, Deaf-Disabled, and CODAs in remote parts of the world, but now it is happening in our own backyard. If you look back to when OTGM was founded, you will see the problems happening now is the reason why I began this organization: before, during, and after a disaster, information changes rapidly –without access to that information, there is no access to the resources, thus, surviving becomes life-threatening for an already underserved community. We know this because we live this, but the rest of the world has not yet caught up because ‘access to communication’ is not on their list of basic needs… and so here we are; Covid-19 did not happen, it is happening.
Off-The-Grid Missions focuses on solutions. By centralizing targeted and solution-based content, we hope to provide a hub of resources in an effort to support and empower the Deaf/Hh Community during this difficult time. If you are a business, organization, or an individual looking to bridge your resources, we welcome you to apply to join our hub. If you have any questions, you are welcome to check out our FAQs.
Please stay inside unless you are shopping for essentials; sanitize regularly, and don’t touch your face! We know you already know that, but, just a reminder from us :) Lastly, come back to visit our page while it continues to grow!
Everyday, we will be grateful for another, and rise with sun.”
–Angela Maria Nardolillo, Founder & President of Off-The-Grid Missions
See what our team is doing in Haiti
Our team in Haiti is making face masks to distribute to their local Deaf Community. We sponsor their office space, sewing machine, and supplies. To learn more about our work in Haiti, visit #offthegridHAITI.
![Signing “O-T-G-M” Partners [Association des Sourds de Lévèque, Haïti (ASLH)]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55b96c7fe4b0b0462f3e44cb/1586399473949-EHAEPZGAINL2FUT65F34/deaf-hait-aslh-sign-language.JPG)
Signing “O-T-G-M” Partners [Association des Sourds de Lévèque, Haïti (ASLH)]
Connect and Help Grow the Hub!
Don’t forget to check out the FAQs below.
“We are forgotten. We get scared. Language deprives rapidly everyday, every minute, and every second in a desperate time. ”
FAQs:
Q: Who Can Participate?
A: Any business, organization, or individual that is providing resources with access for d/Deaf/Hh people during Covid-19.
Q: What kind of content can I send in?
A: Accessible and visual content in the form of signed/captioned educational videos/playlists. Let us know of events hosted virtually, such as a live Deaf story hour, or live Deaf speaker. The goal is rather than to provide a list of links, news, and open-ended vlogs, that can incite uncertainty, confusion, or even negative thoughts —to instead create an environment where the Deaf Community can redirect from the problem and access tools to thrive while being isolated.
Q: I noticed incorrect information on here, should I go on social media and call you out?
A: Sure, as long as you make it accessible! What would really help us though is if you could send us an email info@offthegridmissions.org to let us know so that we can fix it. Everything about mission Covid-19 is grassroots, which means we are–volunteering our time–to dive deep into our network–to identify targeted information. A few mistakes are expected, but all feedback will help us improve this hub for all of us!
Q: I am not Deaf but I have a disability, do I have access to these resources?
A: Absolutely. Everyone has access. It is common for d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people to be left-out of accommodations made before, during, and after a disaster. The reason is, being deaf or Deaf is not an easily identifiable nor a physical disability. So, this hub is simply building awareness, as well as, a bridge! If that means we are also providing access for someone else who although does not identify with being d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Disabled, or Deaf-Blind, yet faces challenges due to limited access or just wants to learn about Deaf Culture –then we are happy to be that bridge!
Q: Where are the News videos?
A: While our non-profit organization is very much aware of the problem, our goal is and always has been, to focus on the solutions. If we were to focus on filtering through videos that best frame what is happening with Covid-19, we will be taking away time to locate and provide resources. There are some great channels that provide accessible news and we would love to recommend them to you: Sign 1 News, H3WorldTV, and The Daily Moth are all fully accessible and highly informative news channels.
Q: Why is there such a lack of access right now?
A: “Access to communication” is not a “basic need” for most people right now. Food, masks, and toilet paper, is the Covid-19 basic necessity. So, while the world, businesses, hospitals.. etc. are adjusting to the threat, it is our (yours and mine) responsibility to focus on our community while educating the masses, and pushing for the change. I don’t want to say that if we (the Deaf Community) do not then no one else will, but I will say that if we do, others will join us and we will grow stronger.
Q: I thought cotton masks do not protect against the virus?
A: As noted in our Full Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. While we work to create a hub of centralized and accessible information for the Deaf Community, COVID-19 is an emerging disease. New knowledge is added daily and resources may change as the situation evolves. Please consult the CDC website regularly for the most up-to-date information. Off-The-Grid Missions, make no warranties, either express or implied, that the products on this website prevent infection or the transmission of viruses or diseases.
Note: we are recommending cotton masks to be built with a “filter pocket” so they can be layered inside with a disposable filter such as HEPA vacuum bag, coffee filters, blue towels.
Q: I have an accessible Vlog about Covid-19, can I suggest it for the hub?
A: While accessible vlogs about Covid-19 are greatly informative, the one thing we all know is that Covid-19 is not in anyone’s control. For this reason alone, we want this hub to be a place where people can focus on things that are in their control. If you feel the content you are suggesting is solution-based, positive, provides a sense of control and purpose, then yes send it on over and we can check it out!
Q: I have an entirely new idea for this page, can I suggest it?
A: Absolutely! The worst that can happen is we blast you out on social media. Just kidding. We will be happy to review it —and if it works, then we will go with it!
Q: Who funds Off-The-Grid Missions?
A: Our organization is 100% Non-Profit which means we are all unpaid and donations go directly towards the cause. If you would like to donate to our organization, you would be supporting a variety of our efforts. To learn more: ways to give.
Q: What about exercise videos?
A: Yup, self-care, lifestyle… these are all ideas we are considering to add in time ensuring they are educational and accessible. If you have some content, feel free to shoot it over and we can review it.
Q: After I send in a submission, how long until the page is updated?
A: 24-48 hours, we will be sure to communicate with you once it has been approved and published. If it is not approved, rest assured we will also communicate with you.
Q: Off topic, I want to get involved in the organization Off-The-Grid Missions. Is there a way?
A: Always. Check out this link.
Q: I read everything and I still do not understand what Off-The-Grid Missions is?
A: This 3 minute video sums it up:
