APTA's Reference Guide to Emergency Preparedness for People With
Disabilities and Special Needs
Ready, Set, Get PREPARED!
Emergencies occur with very little warning often causing chaos and
devastation. Sometimes people are left without food, shelter, or
necessary medical care. That is why preparing for an emergency ahead of
time, when life is relatively calm, is critical for both you and your
family. A well thought-out plan can lessen the impact of a disaster and
help guide you through an emergency situation.
Preparing for an emergency can be a daunting task. This is
particularly true for people with disabilities or other special needs
because there are so many things to consider. The good news is that
there are many resources available to help guide you through the
planning process.
How Physical Therapists Can Help
Physical therapists work with people with limited mobility and movement
disorders, and they can assist you in developing an emergency
preparedness plan to meet your special needs. However, you should have
all of your medical providers involved in, or at least aware of,
your emergency-preparedness plan.
Click
here to download the Emergency Preparedness Guide in Adobe PDF.
Getting Started
There are many online resources available to assist you in developing
your complete plan. Listed below are a few things to help you get
started. Ready, Set, Get Prepared!
Make a Kit
Basic Supplies
- Do you have items such as water, food, battery-powered radio,
flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, money?
Medications and Medical Supplies
- Do you have a plan for equipment that may require electricity?
- Who will administer treatments normally administered by a
clinic?
- What special equipment do you need-wheelchair, hearing aid, etc? Do
you have extra batteries?
- Do you have a week's supply of any needed prescriptions?
Service Animals
- Do you have food, water, collar, ID tags, medical records?
Emergency Documents
- Among other documents, do you have copies of medical records, bank
accounts, social security numbers, and wills?
Make a Plan
Identify friends and family who can assist you during an
emergency.
- Have you shared your plan with your support network?
Determine your communication plan.
- How will you communicate with the people in your support network?
How will you receive emergency notifications?
Consider what you will or can do with your pets or service animal and
the supplies they will need. Decide whether to evacuate or stay in
place.
- How will you decide and what do you need for each scenario?
Contact your local emergency information management office; some
maintain registers of people with disabilities.
Do you know what services exist
in your community?
Be Informed
Understand the types of
emergencies that may affect your area and how different emergencies may
change your plan.
**Make sure you review and update
your plan and supplies at least once per year.**
Community Involvement:
Get involved in community and local government emergency preparedness
planning.
Online Resources for Emergency Preparedness
As a first step, contact your city, county, or state government or
visit their Web sites for local emergency response guidelines and
community resources. Additional resources are listed below for further
information:
People with Disabilities
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_603_,00.html
Phone: 202/303-4498
Handbooks:
Preparing for Disaster for Persons With Disabilities or Other Special
Needs
http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4497.pdf
Disaster Preparedness for Persons With Disabilities
http://www.prepare.org/disabilities/disability.pdf
Checklists:
Supplies Kits:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/apendixa.html
Supplies Calendar:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/apendixb.html
Important Lists:
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/apendixc.html
Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Individuals With Special
Needs
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/pdf_files/IndPrepChecklist.pdf
Handbook on Disability and Special Needs
University of West Virginia, Center for Excellence in
Disabilities
http://www.cedwvu.org/programs/dbtac/hrsabrochure/
Phone: 304/293-4692 or 800/518-1448 (TTY)
Email: contact@cedwvu.org
National Organization on Disability
http://www.nod.org
Phone: 202/293-5960 or 202/293-5968 (TTY)
E-mail: ability@nod.org
Ready.gov
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html
Phone: 202/282-8000 or 866/644-8361 (TTY)
E-mail: ready@dhs.gov
Preparing Makes Sense for People With Disabilities and Special
Needs
http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/disabilities.pdf
Disability Preparedness.gov
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/
E-mail: disabilitypreparedness@dhs.gov
Personal Preparedness
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/index.htm
DisabilityInfo.gov
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5159
Phone: 800/FED-INFO (800/333-4636) - voice and TTY
E-mail: disabilityinfo@dol.gov
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/specialplans.shtm
Phone: 800/621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800/462-7585
Emergency Procedures for Employees With Disabilities in Office
Occupancies
http://www.prepare.org/disabilities/FEMAevac.pdf
U.S. Department of Transportation
http://www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/emergencyprep.asp
Phone: 202/366-4648
Seniors
Ready.gov
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html
Phone: 202/282-8000 or 866/644-8361 (TTY)
Email: ready@dhs.gov
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/seniors.html
Phone: 202/303-4498
Prepare.org
http://www.prepare.org/seniors/seniors.htm
Children
FEMA - Ready Kids
http://www.fema.gov/kids/
800/621-FEMA (3362) TTY: 800/462-7585
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org
Phone: 847/434-4000
American Red Cross - Children and Disasters
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_602_,00.html
Phone: 202/303-4498
Service Animals and Pets
American Red Cross - Animal Safety
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/animalsafety.html
Phone: 202/303-4498
Prepare.org - Tips for People With Service Animals or Pets
http://www.prepare.org/disabilities/animaltips.htm
Disability Preparedness.gov - Users of Service Animals
http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/animals.htm
E-mail: disabilitypreparedness@dhs.gov
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Pet
Preparedness
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_emergency
E-mail: publicinformation@aspca.org
Please send comments or questions about this resource to: kerriegolden@apta.org
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