Assisting the Disabled
For Americans with disabilities, emergencies such as hurricanes, fires, and floods can pose a great challenge. A families ability to recover from an emergency tomorrow may depend on the planning and preparation today. Below are tips, links, and resources which individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, and the people who assist and support them, can use to prepare for emergencies before they happen.
How do I be Prepared for an Emergency?
Create a Personal Support Network
A personal support network
can help you prepare for a disaster. They can do this by helping you
identify and get the resources you need to cope effectively. Network
members can also assist you after a disaster happens.
Complete a Personal Assessment
Decide what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance
you may need before, during and after a disaster. This will be based
on the environment after the disaster, your capabilities and your
limitations.
Follow the 4 Preparedness Steps
- Get Informed
Contact local emergency management offices or the American Red Cross Chapter in your area to gather information to create a plan. This includes knowing community hazards, warning systems, assistance programs and local response plans.
- Make a Plan
Create a back-up plan tailored to your individual needs that involves meeting with your family, choosing an "out-of-town" contact, planning for your pet's care and a designated meeting place for people who can aid you.
- Assemble a Kit
Have important safety and medical supplies to ensure your safety if you are forced to leave at a moments notice.
- Maintain your Plan and Kit
Make sure all of the above steps are kept up to date to ensure the smoothest execution of your safety plan.
For additional information on all the steps above, download the Preparedness Guide created by FEMA and the Red Cross.
Informative Videos on Preparedness for Families with Disabled Children.
Access and view the informative series of "Home Safety for Families with Disabled Children" videos.
Additional Resources