Valdez Leading Efforts to Organize Vaccine Events for Disability Community

Dr. Rupa Valdez has been leading efforts to create vaccination events focused on the disability community — in partnership with many members of the UVA Health System, Virginia Department of Health, and members of the local disability community including the Independence Resource Center, Civic Access, and BridgeLine. The Blue Trunk Foundation, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Dr. Valdez, has also been engaged in these efforts. A key focus has been on ensuring that such events help overcome the many structural and attitudinal barriers that can prevent members of the disability community from seeking vaccination.