Professional resources on emergency preparedness for Montanans with disabilities

Updated 3/21/08 Back to Professional Resource Directory, Table of Contents

Emergency Preparedness

American Red Cross: People with Disabilities Information designed to assist people with disabilities and medical concerns to prepare for disasters.

American Red Cross Tips for People with Cognitive Impairments: Before, During and After a Disaster

Bridge Multimedia Communications New York City-based media company supports all facets of universally accessible media for entertainment, educational, commercial, and government applications.

30 Days, 30 Resources Thirty articles in four emergency preparedness categories: Back-to-School; Business Preparedness; Multicultural Preparedness; and Home and Family Preparedness. Each category includes information relevant to individuals with disabilities and/or individuals in rural areas. All articles may be published in whole or in part without further permission, free of charge, with attribution to Bridge Multimedia and EmergencyInfoOnline.org.

Center for Disability and Special Needs Preparedness Focuses 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.

Disability Info.gov

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Disaster Resources for People with Disabilities and Emergency Managers, published by June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant

Emergency Risk Communication: Public information materials from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication program.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing and Human Services FEMA Reference Guide for use by those who serve individuals with disabilities in emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

Guide for Emergency Managers, Planners and Responders: The Special Needs of People with Disabilities Published by the National Organization on Disability's Emergency Preparedness Initiative .

Independent Living Research Utilization: Web cast on Disaster Relief Strategies for Individuals with Disabilities

Montana State Disaster and Emergency Services

National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Provides information on the psychological effects of natural disasters, including:

Disaster Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers

Disaster Fact Sheet for Mental Health Providers

Psychological First Aid Manual

National Council on Disability: Saving Lives: Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Planning

National Fire Protection Association

Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities

National Organization on Disability - Emergency Preparedness Initiative

National Weather Service provides information on radio receivers that, in conjunction with alerting devices, can alert people who are deaf, hard of hearing or vision impaired about severe weather and other emergencies. Messages may be converted to large print or braille.

Tips for First Responders 11-page, color-coded, laminated field guide offers information on how to assist persons with a wide range of disabilities, including: Seniors, People with Service Animals, People with Mobility Challenges, People with Mental Illness, Blind or Visually Impaired People, Deaf or Hard of Hearing People, People with Cognitive Disabilities, People with Autism, and People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Disability Preparedness Resource Center web site provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. It also provides disability-related information for family members, service providers, emergency planners and first responders.

Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

Lessons Learned Information Sharing provides resources for local, state and federal emergency response providers and homeland security officials on Emergency Planning for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.

Ready America has tips and a video on emergency preparations for people with disabilities and special needs. Videos are also available for elderly adults and for pet owners.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Field Manual for Mental Health and Human Service Workers in Major Disasters

U.S. Department of Justice:

An ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities

ADA Best Practices Toolkit for State and Local Governments

U.S. Department of Labor: Effective Emergency Preparedness Planning: Addressing the Needs of Employees with Disabilities

U.S. Department of Transportation Web site has information to help ensure safe and secure transportation for people with disabilities in the event of a disaster or emergency. Includes advice on emergency preparedness, transportation accessibility, and evacuation methods for certain modes of transportation, such as rail and transit systems. Individuals with disabilities can learn how to react and respond in situations ranging from evacuations of mass transit systems to being trapped in a car during a blizzard or hurricane.

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Living Well under the Big Sky is a partnership between the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and The University of Montana Rural Institute.

We are funded by The Disability and Health Team, National Center on Birth Defects, Developmental Disabilities, and Disability and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information on Living Well Under the Big Sky, contact:

Meg Traci, Ph.D., Project Director
Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (RTC: Rural)
The University of Montana Rural Institute: A Center for Excellence in Disability Education, Research and Services, 52 Corbin Hall, Missoula, MT 59812-7056
406-243-4956
matraci@ruralinstitute.umt.edu