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Safety Issues (Emergencies) « Disabilities – Other Issues

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Safety Issues for People With Disabilities

 

Emergency Management and Evacuation Preparedness for People With Disabilities

  • Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning
    The toolkit will help your CBO plan to address the access and functional needs of older adults and people with disabilities and assist consumers with personal preparedness. 

  • CMS Emergency Preparedness Checklist (US Department of Health and Human Services)
    Emergency Planning Checklist recommended tool for persons in long-term care facilities & their family members, friends, personal caregivers, guardians, & long-term care ombudsmen.

  • Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities: What to Do When Emergency Weather Strikes (Redfin)
    It’s crucial to prepare and plan well in advance for any natural disaster that your area is prone to, especially if you have a disability that could require additional safety considerations. This disaster safety guide will help you know what hurdles to anticipate, factors to consider, and ultimately, what to do when emergency weather occurs.

  • Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery- Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices
    This emergency power planning checklist is for people who use electricity and battery dependent assistive technology and medical devices, including: breathing machines (respirators, ventilators), power wheelchairs and scooters, and oxygen, suction or home dialysis equipment. Some of this equipment is essential to your level of independence while other equipment is vital to keeping you alive! Use the checklist to make power-backup plans. 

  • Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities
    Natural disasters and other public emergencies can leave people stranded for days, cause breaks in communication networks, and make streets and walkways impassable. What will you do to ensure your safety during those critical first days of an emergency in your community? Presented here are guidelines for preparing for emergency situations and a checklist for building an emergency kit.  

  • Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (ACL)
    Disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at anytime, anywhere, and vary in magnitude. Older adults and people with disabilities have unique and special needs during a crisis. 

  • Evacuee Support Planning Guide (FEMA – July 2009)
    This guide (108 page PDF document) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency  is a resource for states that may receive a substantial number of evacuees from another state and for states that may experience a large evacuation from one area of the state to another. It is also a resource for most mass care planning, and addresses subjects including preparing for special needs within the evacuee population and the importance of making accessible housing, transportation, medical care and communications available.  
     
  • Hurricane Preparedness Tips For People With Special Needs (8/4/16)
    To ensure that everyone has the tools necessary to get ready in the event of a hurricane visiting your area, Direct Energy has put together this infographic containing the crucial hurricane preparedness steps those with special needs and disabilities may need to take in order to protect themselves during a storm.
  • Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC) Reports (FEMA)  
    Executive Order 13347 established the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC), directing more than 25 Federal executive departments and agencies to work together to ensure that emergency preparedness plans incorporate the perspectives and needs of individuals with disabilities, and that barriers to their access to services and planning are removed. The Executive Order designates the Secretary of Homeland Security as chair; the Secretary has in turn designated that role to the FEMA Administrator. FEMA's Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) coordinates the ICC.
  • Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (FEMA & American Red Cross)
    For the millions of Americans who have physical, medical, sensory or cognitive disabilities, emergencies such as fires, floods and acts of terrorism present a real challenge. The same challenge also applies to the elderly and other special needs populations. Protecting yourself and your family when disaster strikes, requires planning ahead.
  • Victims with Disabilities: Collaborative, Multidisciplinary First Response (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
    Techniques for first responders called to help crime victims who have disabilities.

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