If you have any questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it’s affecting people with disability, you can get support from the Disability Gateway (which used to be called the Disability Information Helpline).

The Disability Gateway provides information and referrals for people with disability, their families, carers and supporters. The Gateway is free, private and fact-checked.

Disability Gateway staff can answer your questions about:

• what coronavirus means for people with disability
• what changes are happening because of coronavirus
• the support that’s available for people with disability.

They can also:

• check facts and get information for you
• transfer you to services that can help
• transfer you to a phone counsellor for emotional support.

You can visit the Disability Gateway website. Or, you can call 1800 643 787, Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST). The Disability Gateway phone line is not available on national public holidays.

A live chat service will also be available in the near future.

If you’re deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can call the National Relay Service on 133 677.

If you need support in another language, you can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) free of charge by calling:

• the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787 and asking for an interpreter
• TIS National on 131 450 and ask to be connected to the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 643 787.

More information

The Australian Government funds the Disability Gateway. Find more information about the Gateway here.

The Disability Gateway website also has links to a range of coronavirus information in Easy Read and Auslan, including vaccine information.