RTC:Rural Rural Institute University of Montana

logo for Montana Disability & Health Program: Living well under the Big Sky

Resources on Emergency Preparedness

 

American Association of the Deaf-Blind: Disaster Preparedness for Persons Who are Deaf and Blind

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.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Emergency Response

Extreme Heat: A Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety

Disability.gov

Emergency Preparedness Resources

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

Emergency Evacuation: Taking Responsibility for Your Safety- A Guide for People with Disabilities

Emergency Preparedness Packet for Home Health Agencies from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice

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.

Inclusive Preparedness Center  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.

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

Montana Public Health and Emergency Preparedness

Montana State Disaster and Emergency Services

National Association of Emergency Medical Services Educators

National Association of Emergency Medical Services Physicians

National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials

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

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.

National Native American Emergency Medical Services Association for first responders, emergency medical technicians, emergency nurses, and emergency physicians.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies

12 Considerations for Accessible Emergency Communications (pdf file) Covers technology, policy and training & education considerations.  Provides list of resources.

Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement

Disaster Preparedness and People with Complex Communication Needs provides information on emergency preparedness for persons with complex communication needs that is applicable for families, schools, and professionals.

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 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 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.

Disaster Planning Guide for Home Health Care Providers

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.

Preparedness Planning for Home Health Care Providers

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 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.

 

Return to top of page

Back to Resources for Professionals and Service Providers