Information resources received from Disability.Gov
As America looks back this week to September 11, 2001, we continue to honor those Americans who lost their lives at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center and those who perished in Shanksville, Pennsylvania as they courageously fought the terrorists on Flight 93. We continue to live in a world in which we need to be vigilant and prepared to deal with attacks to our security. We also need to be prepared to deal with harsh winters, floods and out-of-control wild fires. For people with disabilities and their families, surviving weather emergencies or a national disaster is even more challenging.
Reflecting back to September 11, 2001, let us also remember that it is extremely important for people with disabilities and their families to be prepared to deal with emergencies and disasters. This Special Edition contains specific resources for people with disabilities and their families, service providers, first responders, local communities and local and state governments. We hope that these resources will help more people to be better prepared!
ˇ Tips for people who have pets or service animals
ˇ Information about emergency kits and supplies
ˇ Preparing for emergencies at work and school
ˇ Accessible shelters and emergency housing
You can also find help in your state by visiting Disability.gov's Information by State section and going to the Emergency Preparedness section for your state. Disability.Blog also has information about the importance of including everyone in emergency management planning, preparing for emergencies in the workplace and taking into account service animals when planning for emergencies.
Stay safe, be prepared, and check out these other resources for more information
ˇ Ready.gov (Listo América)
ˇ Are You Prepared? Video Contest
ˇ FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination
ˇ DisabilityPreparedness.gov
ˇ National Preparedness Month Coalition
ˇ DisasterAssistance.gov
ˇ Emergency Preparedness and You
ˇ Citizen Corps
ˇ American Red Cross
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS THIS SEPTEMBER: A TIME TO REMEMBER. A TIME TO PREPARE
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Ready Campaign has new Web tools to help individuals and organizations join the 2011 National Preparedness Month (NPM) coalition. NPM is held each September and encourages Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. The Ready Campaign website also has specific emergency preparedness information for people with disabilities and is available at http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html. The fact sheet is available at http://www.ready.gov/america/npm11/_downloads/NPM_Factsheet_20110620.pdf.
FEMA AND NATIONAL DISABILITY RIGHTS NETWORK (NDRN) SIGN AGREEMENT TO STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COLLABORATION
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and NDRN have signed a memorandum of agreement to make sure that the needs of people with disabilities are taken into account in planning for, and responding to, disasters. This agreement will help FEMA prepare for the emergency planning and response needs of the entire community, including people with disabilities, young children, seniors and others. Visit www.ready.gov for more emergency preparedness resources and also http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=53928.
DISASTER SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS GUIDE FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
People of every age and ability need a plan of action in case of an emergency. Planning ahead provides an opportunity to feel more confident about being ready for an emergency, whether it is a house fire, power outage, hurricane or attack on the community. These preparation tips have been developed by the New York Red Cross. Go to http://www.nyredcross.org/?nd=disaster_safety_guide_for_seniors_and_people_with_disabilities
PREPAREDNESS: TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
A fact sheet from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment that has emergency preparedness tips and resources for persons with special medical needs and their families. Details how to make sure that necessary medications and electrical equipment (feeding tubes, oxygen) are part of the emergency planning process. Discusses making an emergency plan to share with relatives, neighbors and coworkers. Visit http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/Public/medneeds.pdf.
RESOURCES FROM THE CDC ON PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES
Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on preparing for emergencies. Includes information about supply kits, making preparations for pets and service animals and sheltering-in-place. Visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/.
NEW TOOLKIT OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGES AVAILABLE
A new toolkit of prepared cell phone text messages advising people how to protect their health after a disaster is now available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These messages support state and local emergency managers in disaster response. Residents should contact their local emergency management agency to find out it text message alerts are available in their area and to register. For more information go to http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/06/20110609b.html.
SUMMARY REPORT ON USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EMERGENCIES BY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
From October 2010 through January 2011, the Wireless RERC conducted its "2010-2011 Emergency Communications Survey" to better understand how people with disabilities communicate during emergencies. More than 1,100 people with disabilities responded to the survey. The age range was 18-91, with the average age 52. The survey sample included people with all types of disabilities, including sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities. Please visit http://www.wirelessrerc.org/publications/emergency-communications-and-people-with-disabilities/Survey%20Results-Social%20Media%20and%20EC.doc/view.
ACCOMMODATING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE PROVISION OF DISASTER MASS CARE, HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES
Reference guide from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides information on disability related guidelines for use by those who serve individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness and disaster relief. To access the Guide, visit http://www.fema.gov/oer/reference/.
FUNCTIONAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: A GUIDE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGERS, PLANNERS AND RESPONDERS
This guide is for emergency planners, managers and first responders to help them plan and prepare for emergency situations that address the needs of people with disabilities. It includes information on how to involve people with disabilities in planning, the need for accessible temporary housing, and how to evacuate persons with disabilities, including those with service animals and pets. The guide covers all phases of preparedness from planning to rescue to evacuation to recovery and can be viewed at http://www.nod.org/assets/downloads/Guide-Emergency-Planners.html.
GUIDANCE ON PLANNING FOR INTEGRATION OF FUNCTIONAL NEEDS SUPPORT SERVICES IN GENERAL POPULATION SHELTERS
"Functional Needs Support Services Guidance", or FNSS, offers recommendations to state governments to help them provide emergency sheltering services to meet the needs of the whole community, including people with disabilities. The guidance is intended to help communities act in compliance with existing federal laws designed to prevent discrimination on the basis of disability. Text version is available at http://www.fema.gov/txt/about/odic/fnss_guidance.txt and the PDF version is available at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/odic/fnss_guidance.pdf.
PREPARING THE WORKFORCE FOR EVERYONE
This resource provides guidelines that individuals, employers and emergency managers can use to create inclusive emergency preparedness plans for their workplace. Developed by an interagency council of federal agencies, the guide includes some of the best methods being used in the federal government to ensure that the needs of all individuals are considered during an emergency. For this resource, please visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ep/preparing2.htm.
NEW PUBLICATIONS ON EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AND FOR EMPLOYERS
The Minnesota State Council on Disability announces two new educational publications on emergency preparedness. "Emergency Preparedness: Addressing Disability Issues in the Workplace Took Kit" is designed to assist employers to develop a plan that incorporates disability issues. "Emergency Preparedness: A Guide for People with Disabilities" contains information on how being prepared can save lives. For more information, go to http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=MSCOD and scroll down to "Everybody Needs a Plan".
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