Individuals with Disabilities
Disability intersects every
demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races,
genders or national origin. And, disabilities can impact a person in a variety
of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families,
it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively
prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Get Informed Know what
disasters could affect your area, which ones could call for an evacuation and
when to shelter in place. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local
emergency station and monitor TV and radio. Follow mobile alerts and warnings
about severe weather in your area. Download the FEMA app and get weather
alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations
anywhere in the United States.
Make a Plan In the event
of a disaster could you make it on your own for several days? After a disaster
you may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore. It’s crucial
to plan for your daily needs and know what you would do if they become limited
or unavailable. Additional planning steps include: Create a support
network of people who can help you in a disaster. Keep a contact list in a
watertight container in your emergency kit or on your electronic devices. Inform
your support network where you keep your emergency supplies. You may want to
consider giving a trusted member a key to your house or apartment. Plan
ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting
around during or after disaster. Check with local transit providers as well as
with your emergency management agency to identify appropriate accessible
options. Many city and county emergency management agencies maintain
voluntary registries for people with disabilities to self-identify in order to
receive targeted assistance during emergencies and disasters. Contact your
local emergency management office to find out more. If you are on
dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment know the location and
availability of more than one facility that can help you. If you use
medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor
or health care provider about what you may be able to do to keep it running
during a power outage. You can also ask your power provider to put you on a
list for priority power restoration. Wear medical alert tags or
bracelets. Also add pertinent medical information to your electronic devices.
If you have a communication disability consider carrying printed cards or
storing information on your devices to inform first responders and others how
to communicate with you. If you use assistive technologies, plan how you
will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or
destroyed. Locate and access your
electronic health records from a variety of sources by using the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services' online tool. Plan for children and adults who may have
difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments. Consider your service or
support animal or pets and plan for food, water and supplies. If you need to
evacuate, you’ll need to know whether your shelter allows pets or not, since
some shelters only allow service or support animals. Keep a list of the
nearest medical facilities, local hospitals and nearest transportation.
Get Your Benefits
Electronically A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If
you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to
electronic payments is an easy way to protect yourself financially before
disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S.
Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:
Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal
benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online. The
Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative
to paper checks. Call toll-free at 877-212-9991 or sign up online.
Build a Kit In addition to
having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should have items to meet
your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use every
day and which ones you may need to add to your kit.
Tips for People Who are Deaf
or Hard of Hearing Weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert),
Extra hearing-aid batteries, Pen and paper (in case you have to
communicate with someone who does not know sign language), Battery
operated lantern to enable communication by sign language or lip reading,
especially when the electricity is out and it’s dark.
Tips for People Who are Blind
or Have Low Vision Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large
print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a
portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where
you can access it. Keep communication devices for your particular needs,
such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency
supply kit.
Tips for People with Speech
Disability If you use an augmentative communications device or other
assistive technologies plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you
will replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Keep model information and
note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance,
etc.). Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is
not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.
Individuals with Intellectual
or Developmental Disabilities Keep handheld electronic devices charged and
loaded with videos and activities. Purchase spare chargers for
electronic devices and keep them charged. Include sheets and twine or a
small pop-up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide
instant privacy). Consider a pair of noise-canceling headphones to
decrease auditory stimuli. Have comfort snacks available.
Tips for People with a
Mobility Disability If you use a power wheelchair have a lightweight manual
chair available as a backup if possible. Show others how to assemble,
disassemble and operate your wheelchair. Purchase an extra battery for a
power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology
devices. If you can't purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies,
organizations or local charitable groups can help you buy one. Keep extra
batteries charged at all times. Consider keeping a patch kit or can of
sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not
puncture proof. Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker
if you use one. Keep a portable air pump for wheelchair tires. If you
use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must
evacuate, consider keeping an extra cushion on hand. Communicate with
neighbors who can assist you if you need to evacuate the building.
Tips for Individuals with
Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Do not leave the person alone. Even those
who aren’t prone to wandering away may do so in unfamiliar environments or
situations. If evacuating, help manage the change in environment by
bringing a pillow and blanket or other comforting items they can hold onto. When
at a shelter, try to stay away from exits and choose a quiet corner. If
there is an episode of agitation, respond to the emotions being expressed. For
example, say “You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here
with you.”
Additional Items Several
days supply of prescription medicines, A list of all medications, dosage
and any allergies, Extra eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids and
batteries, A backup supply of oxygen, A list of the style and
serial number of medical devices (include special instructions for operating
your equipment if needed), Copies of insurance and Medicare cards, Contact
information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are
hurt, Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and
other supplies for your service or support animal.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.