Disaster Relief

General Resources for People with Disabilities

• FEMA: https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx The Emergency Management Institute supports the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA’s goals by improving the competencies of the U.S. officials in Emergency Management at all levels of government to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the potential effects of all types of disasters and emergencies on the American people. This link leads to information on a range of programs and training opportunities. 
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD): https://www.nvoad.org/ NVOAD is an association of organizations that mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters, provides a forum promoting cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration; and fosters more effective delivery of services to communities affected by disaster. This page gives information on the organization, how to help, and about member organizations
• FCC Emergency Communications Fact Sheet. Emergency Communications Guide Collecting and sharing crucial information during a disaster.
• The Partnership for inclusive Disaster Strategies (PiDS). Disaster Strategies. Inclusive disaster planning and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and others who also have access and functional needs (older adults, people with limited English proficiency or low literacy, people with temporary health conditions, pregnant women, etc.).
• Pass it On Center.National AT Reuse Center that assists people during / after a disaster to gain access to lost/damaged durable medical equipment/assistive technology
• Portlight’s Disaster Survivors with Disabilities National Hotline (800) 626-4959. A place to go for people with disabilities involved in a disaster to go for assistance. Disaster Strategies
• Project MEND. Provides medical equipment to people with disabilities, access and functional needs
• Downloadable checklist: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit Learn how to build a disaster kit that will help you survive for at least 72 hours. There is also information on how and where to store your kit. 
• Ready for Disaster: https://www.ready.gov/ Plan ahead for thunderstorms, flooding, power outages, severe weather, extreme heat, active shooters, and tornadoes. Learn how to get involved and make sure you are financially prepared for an emergency. 
• Making a Go-bag: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Go-Bag This is an easy how-to guide that includes both pictures and descriptions. The guide includes what to put in a Go Bag and where to store it. 
• Emergency Readiness Plan: https://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/eprep/docs/EmergencyPlanForm2015-07.pdf This readiness plan template includes space for medications and other health care needs, as well as information on specific ailments or disabilities. It can be customized to the person in need. There is also information and checklists related to emergency readiness. 

Resources – Local

(look for updates)

• Hurricane Harvey
• Department of Homeland Security: Hurricane Harvey Resources for people with disabilities, access and functional needs
• USSAAC Recovers
• United Spinal Association of Houston; Contact Rafferty Laredo, Executive Director rafferty@unitedspinalhouston.org or 832.443.7233
• American Bar Association (Download)
• Hurricane Irma
  • Department of Homeland Security: Hurricane Irma
  • USSAAC Recovers
  • American Bar Association (Download)
• Virgin Islands. Hurricanes. Irma and Maria
  • USSAAC Recovers
• Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria
  • USSAAC Recovers

Resources for Cal E-Prep

https://www.cerv501c3.org/pages/resources-for-cal-e-prep

• Nobody Left Behind is the result of a three-year study to investigate 30 county level or equivalent emergency management sites across the United States that had experienced a recent disaster. The researchers aimed to determine the readiness of these sites to assist persons with mobility limitations during disasters.
• Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs is a booklet from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross that helps people with disabilities prepare for all kinds of emergencies. It includes information on what you need to prepare for daily living, getting around, and evacuating during an emergency.
• Effective Emergency Preparedness Planning for Employers is a website that includes resources related to workplace emergency preparedness and the needs of employees with disabilities. It includes some information on legal considerations, gathering information, and suggestions to keep in mind when developing, implementing, and maintaining a workplace emergency plan.
• Guidance on Integrating People with Access and Functional Needs into Disaster Preparedness Planning for States and Local Governments 
• This website will introduce and connect you to available resources and inclusive strategies for integrating the access and functional needs of at-risk individuals into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning at all jurisdictional levels.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Workbook: To Define, Locate, and Reach Special, Vulnerable, and At-risk Populations in an Emergency: This CDC workbook is intended to provide public health and emergency preparedness planners with better ways to communicate health and emergency information to at-risk individuals with access and functional needs, for all-hazards events, through step-by-step instructions, resources guides and templates. 

Resources for First Responders and Emergency Personnel

• Disaster Preparedness Tips For Emergency Management Personnel. A checklist for First Responders
• Tips for First Responders – Center on Disability Studies. Downloadable. Includes seniors, people with service animals, who are deaf/hearing impaired, blind/visually impaired, mentally ill, chemical sensitivities, cognitive impairments, infants, pregnant women, seizure disorders, brain injuries.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Resources for people who rely on AAC, family members and other members of AAC community

Information and Training Materials

• Emergency Checklist for people who use AAC and those who care about them. Easy to use with graphics.
• Augmentative Communication News . Stories about people with complex communication needs taking action during and after Hurricane Katrina/other incidents. Suggestions for Taking Action. Useful for people who rely on AAC, their family members and providers and organizations.
• Billy Builds a Kit (3 versions). A story about a child who gets his family to develop an emergency kit. (by Pamela Kennedy with illustrations by Allison Shumaker). PDF format. News-to-You, Inc.
  – Storybook 1
  – Storybook 2
  – Symbol Supported
• Disaster Preparedness for People with Complex Communication Needs. RERC Webcast. FREE. Pamela Kennedy describes the steps for emergency preparation that are critical for all individuals with complex communication needs.
• Emergency Communication: Disaster Preparation, Response and Recovery for People with CCN. RERC. Materials for
  • First Responders
  • People who rely on AAC and their families

General Information about specific disasters.

Before, During After. American Red Cross.

• Available in nine (9) languages.

• Home Fires.
• Landslide.
• Power Outage.
• Tsunami.

Emergency Communication Displays

• Vocabulary Set: Emergency Preparedness in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
• Communication4ALL Aids: Children and Adults in South Africa. (English/Sepedi)
• EC4All Android App – Purchase and download
• Vocabulary Sets from Temple University (downloadable)
• Emergency Checklist: https://ussaac.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/EmergencyChecklistwSymbols.pdf This checklist is for individuals who have limited speech. It will help them to communicate in an emergency, and also includes a graphic on what can or is included in their Go Bag.
• Emergency Preparedness Narrative: https://aac-rerc.psu.edu/images/file/BillyBuildsaKit-storybook2.pdf A child-centered narrative on the process of preparing a kit for emergencies.
• Communication Passport for Accidents and Emergencies: https://widgit-health.com/downloads/A-and-E-passport.htm This color-coded card system allows individuals with learning disabilities and/or other communication related special needs to inform others of things they must have, things that are important to them, and their likes and dislikes.
• Emergency Communication for All (EC4All) app: https://abledata.acl.gov/product/ec4all
• https://aaccommunity.net/2018/09/emergency-preparation-for-aac/ This website provides information on an app called EC4All. It is a voice output direct selection and symbolic communicator program designed for use by individuals with communication, cognitive, learning, developmental or speech disabilities, or autism. 
• Show Me – A Communication Tool for Emergency Shelters: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/show-me This website describes and provides information on how to get the Show Me suite of tools, including a free booklet, and two apps. The booklet is meant to help individuals arriving at a shelter to communicate on a range of topics; from check-in, to medicine, to food, to describing what happened to their home. The app has similar topics, but also includes emergency dispensing sites (EDS) and door-to-door outreach required for shelter-in place or evacuation directives. 

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