Individuals with Developmental, Intellectual, and Mental Health Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness

Individuals with Developmental, Intellectual, and Mental Health

Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness

Getting Information Out About An Emergency Plan

Through the media (TV, radio, newspapers) Presentations to disability support groups and

organizations, advocacy groups, CILs, and service organizations such as Community Services Boards.

Include disability planning tips in any emergency planning handouts, posters or brochures.

Disability organizations and groups should learn the information or have speakers to come in and conduct trainings on types of disasters, developing a plan and the importance of having a plan.

Individual Preparedness

Getting Information Out About An Emergency Plan

Discussions with consumers when they meet either one-on-one or in a group setting.

Emergency announcements need to be in multiple accessible formats.

Provide step-by-step guidelines/template on what will go into the plan and for how to develop a plan but remind the individual the plan needs to fit their specific needs and work one-on-one with them developing the plan.


What to include in Go-Kitor Disaster Box?


List of Items contained in the kit. List will help if you need to replace items. See handout “Disaster Preparedness“ of items

for the Go-Kit or Disaster Box. Include any disability specific items that you will

need for your disability. If you rely on communication devices, be sure to

include an alternate power source.

What to include in Go-Kitor Disaster Box?


Pack a favorite item to help maintain focus while waiting in lines or while at a shelter. (i.e., video game, book, etc.)

A list of current medications, contact numbers and important papers.

A large Disaster Box for at home with additional food items for sheltering-in-place.

A smaller “Go-Kit” that you can easily take with you when evacuating.

Alerting Others To Your Needs


Sentara has a “File of Life” magnet that can be placed on a refrigerator that contains detailed information about your medical conditions, medications, allergies, etc.

Keep a copy of your “File of Life” in your Go-Kit or Disaster Box or “Emergency Preparedness” handout.

For certain medical conditions there are medical alert bracelets that you wear that would alert emergency personnel to your condition.

Alerting Others To Your Needs


Develop pre-printed messages to show first responders (i.e., “I may have difficulty understanding what you are telling me, so please speak slowly and use simple language.”)

A non-verbal person could use an alphabet card that they can use to spell on to communicate or pictures that they can point out if they are hurt or scared, etc.

Natural Supports and Emergency Plan

Contact the people you know and trust (i.e., family, friends, co-workers, personal care attendant, etc.) to see if they will assist you during a disaster.

Identify and create a personal support team of 3 people in each setting you are routinely in during the week who are willing to assist you if an emergency occurs while you are there.

Consider your regular schedule: home, work, school, church, recreation, volunteer activities--where are you frequently?



Consider what type of assistance you will need. Consider the physical stamina, whether your

support team member would be able to take on another person to assist (i.e. number of children and their ages, room in their vehicle, etc.).

Talk to your personal support team about what assistance you would need and if they would be willing and able to assist you.



Orient your personal support team when developing your plan to key tasks that you will need them to assist you with and put it in your plan.

Practice your plan with your personal support team before a disaster happens.

Keep in touch with your personal support teams and review if circumstances or ability to assist has changed.

Keep your personal support teams updated on your contact information, including your various phone numbers (home/cell/work).


Notifying the Public

Through the media (TV, radio, newspapers) Set up a system with your natural supports to

notify you when an evacuation is ordered or recommended.

Take evacuation recommendations and orders seriously! Do not hesitate to get moving!

Leave as soon as possible when transportation will be available and before panic by the “general population” sets in.

Evacuation


Ensure that news coverage of impending emergency situations are close captioned including breaking alerts.

When an audio alert is sounded on the TV, and writing is scrolling on the screen, be sure that the information is verbalized by the broadcaster.

Instructions should be clear, simple, to the point and easy to follow.

Evacuation


Reading alerts will assure that people with visual or intellectual or mental health disabilities or language barriers will understand.

Many people with disabilities have multiple disabilities that cross over the various disability groupings and all information should be accessible to all types of disabilities.

Those that have registered with their locality should be contacted by the locality to notify them of an evacuation order and to ascertain their status and if assistance is needed to evacuate.

Evacuation

Problems During An Evacuation

Contact your support network and follow the emergency preparedness plan you have practiced.

Get your Go-Kit and add any last minute supplies (medications, disability specific items, food, clothes, etc.)

Gather any equipment that you need to function (i.e., wheelchair, communication board, artificial larynx, etc.) and associated supplies and back up power source.

Evacuation

Problems During An Evacuation

Develop pre-printed messages to show first responders (i.e., “I need to take my communication board”) and indicate the location of the device.

Focus on the instructions you are given and follow them.

Develop short answers to describe your disability and your needs to tell first responders in case your pre-printed materials are not available.

Evacuation

Sheltering: What to Include in a “General Population Shelter” to Make it

Accessible?

Local Emergency Preparedness staff should connect with the disability community to ensure the shelter is accessible to all types of disabilities, (physically, signage and pictures).

ALL shelters should meet basic A.D.A. standards for accessibility and accommodations.

Sign language and other language interpreters should be available.

Generator to provide power for necessary equipment (refrigerator, respirators, sleep apnea machine, etc.).

What to Include in “General Population Shelter” to Make it Accessible?

Triage set up for medical emergencies and medical and behavioral health personnel (doctors/nurses).

Personal care attendants to assist those with transferring and basic hygiene.

All announcements should be also posted in a common area using simple and concise language.

Service animals should be allowed as they provide services to a person with a disability.

Basic medicines (pain relief, insulin, etc.) and refrigeration to keep any medicines cold that require it.

Sheltering

Why it’s Important for People With Disabilitiesto Participate in Emergency Planning

Advisors with disabilities that are qualified (have an understanding of disaster preparedness and disabilities) can think through issues from a disability perspective.

Include representatives from the various disability populations to serve on the planning committees (cognitive, physical, sensory).

Utilizing their expertise-can develop accessible, inclusive and appropriate programs and help prevent costly mistakes.

Future Planning/Next Steps

Involvement in On-going EmergencyPlanning in the Community

Continue Involvement of persons with disabilities in trainings such as this to share information and be a resource to the community.

Plan ongoing training on Independent Living Skills and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities at independent living centers broken into various topic areas.


Accommodations Needed to Participatein Planning Efforts in your Locality

Provide an accessible location for meetings. Provide accommodations as needed for the person

serving on the planning committees based on the individual’s need.

Provide transportation assistance, if applicable. Provide materials in alternative formats as needed

during the planning phase and for materials developed out of the planning sessions to be made available to the public.


Strengths People with Disabilities BringTo The Table in Planning Efforts

Advisors with disabilities that are qualified (have an understanding of disaster preparedness and disabilities) can think through issues from a disability perspective.

Advisors with disabilities can assist with getting the word out to the community about existing plans and participation

They know the local resources.


Where do we go from here?

Next steps for our community Identify additional community leaders for

participation in planning, including business, non- profit, and faith communities

Locate accessible buildings for training, and strategies for developing a more inclusive process to ensure vulnerable populations are involved in the developmental phases

Event Exercises should include all populations

Documents

Individuals with Developmental, Intellectual, and Mental Health Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness