Emergency Preparedness

Whether a child has personally experienced trauma or has merely seen the event on television or heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and teachers to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress begin to occur.

A resource booklet from the American Red Cross designed to assist people with disabilities in preparing for natural and other disasters and their consequences.

Guidance in determining the eligibility of costs for federally required ADA access compliance associated with Public Assistance (PA) program grants for major disasters and emergencies.

Fact sheet from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding how to assist people with disabilities during a disaster.

Comprehensive information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about bioterrorism agents (such as Anthrax), diseases and other threats.

Describes some of the common reactions people have after a trauma.

A program funded by the Department of Homeland Security that educates emergency responders and deaf and hard of hearing consumer leaders on how to communicate in emergency situations to better prevent loss of life and property.

Information from Ready.gov on how to create an evacuation plan in case of an emergency of natural disaster.

Report on the first meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities at the Department of Homeland Security held in September 2004.

Information from Ready.gov on how to prepare your family in case of an emergency or natural disaster.

The National Center on Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities is focused on helping ensure that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection from both natural and man-made emergencies.

Tips from the American Red Cross to help individuals to be prepared for emergencies in order to reduce the fear, panic and inconvenience that surrounds a disaster.

Disaster relief information and resources from the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) program, a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living.

Web site providing information and services relating to the four pillars of all-hazards disaster management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.

Procedures from the Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions at Western University of Health Sciences to help strengthen building evacuation preparedness for people with disabilities and activity limitations.

Information from the American Association of People with Disabilities on a bill introduced by Congressmen Jim Langevin and Curt Weldon on February 7, 2006. The purpose of the proposed Act is to address the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts in the event of a major disaster, and also to increase the accessibility of replacement housing built with federal funds following major disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.

Executive summary, conference report and other materials from the Conference on Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities, held in September 2004. The conference was sponsored by the by The National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Organization on Disability.

Guide developed by the National Organization on Disability highlights key disability concerns for officials and experts responsible for emergency planning in their communities.

Report from a seminar hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. The event, which was the first of its kind, brought together more than 200 federal managers and experts representing nearly 90 agencies and offices in the areas of disability, emergency preparedness and workplace safety.

U.S. Fire Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guide for facilities managers on the notification of an emergency situation and evacuation of a building involving individuals with disabilities.

Emergency relief resources from The Arc for people with special needs, family members, case managers, employers and service coordinators.

Plan developed by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to provide employers with planning considerations and on-line resources that may help reduce their vulnerability to a terrorist act.

Text of President George W. Bush's Executive Order to strengthen emergency preparedness with respect to individuals with disabilities.

A list of links from the FCC Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau related to disability issues, including closed captioning, 911-TTY compatibility, telecommunication relay services and various sections of the Rehabilitation Act.

Reminder for video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services, of their obligation to make emergency information accessible to persons with hearing and vision disabilities.

FEMA Web site concerning prohibitions against discrimination toward any person eligible to receive disaster aid or other services.

Plan developed by the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to provide employers with planning considerations and on-line resources that may help reduce their vulnerability to a terrorist's explosive device or act of arson.

Discusses normal stress reactions in the wake of a disaster and provides information on helping disaster survivors, family members and emergency rescue or disaster relief workers.

The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) offers this interactive tool to assist first responders, emergency managers and people with disabilities in finding state and local emergency management resources.

News release regarding an Executive Order seeking to fully integrate people with disabilities into the national emergency preparedness effort directs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to lead the federal government in addressing the safety and security needs of people with disabilities.

Site is focused on ensuring that all individuals are included in the development of and inclusion in plans for protection in emergency planning.

Information from the N.O.D. on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. Includes links to reports and articles on the subject.

General information on how to use NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) as an alerting tool for the deaf and hearing impaired.

Provides critical public safety information including weather forecasts, watches, warnings and advisories as well as links on weather safety and emergency preparedness.

Provides guidance to first responders on how best to perform a rescue using equipment and procedures for a safe evacuation of people with disabilities.

Information from Ready.gov regarding how to develop a plan should their be an emergency or natural disaster in your community.

Brochure from the National Organization on Disability provides tips for pet owners on how they can help ensure the safety of their animals during emergencies.

Brochure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights the steps older Americans, and their families and caretakers, should take to prepare for emergencies. Document is in .pdf format. A text version of the brochure can be found at http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/older_americans.txt.

Brochure from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights the steps Americans with disabilities and other special needs, and their families and caretakers, should take to prepare for emergencies. Document is in .pdf format. A text version of the brochure can be viewed by clicking here.

A template of emergency preparedness guidelines for federal agencies from the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace.

Information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on how to be prepared in case of a national emergency--including a possible terrorist attack. Includes information relevant to businesses, employees, families, individuals with disabilities and many others.

Report from the National Council on Disability regarding emergency planning and people with disabilities.

Provides information on self-help in coping after a disaster and what to do if additional help is needed.

Report from a 2003 Interagency Seminar of Exchange for Federal Managers meant to serve as a source of practical information on developing, implementing and maintaining emergency preparedness plans for people with disabilities.

Information from Ready.gov on what to do during an emergency or natural disaster if it is safer to stay where you are, rather than evacuate.

The special-needs NOAA Weather Radio has recently been designed to adapt to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Fact sheet examines three questions often asked by survivors: What symptoms can one experience as a result of disaster experiences? What factors increase the risk of readjustment problems? What can disaster survivors do to best recover from disaster stress?

Discusses how to speak to your children about terrorism.

The Board is making its own evacuation plan for employees and visitors with disabilities publicly available, as well as summary on how it was developed, as a resource for other organizations who may implement or update their own plans.

Emergency preparedness guidelines issued to all DOT employees and facilities nationwide.

Text of Secretary Mineta's speech regarding emergency preparedness and people with disabilities.

Information regarding fire safety for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Links to GSA Office of Civil Rights' documents on emergency planning and people with disabilities, No Fear Act and accommodation checklists.

Emergency Preparedness

Send mail to MIS@myindependentliving.org with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: October 07, 2008

Send mail to MIS@myindependentliving.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: October 07, 2008