How To Prepare For Emergencies As a Disabled Person
Every demographic group is affected by disability; there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders, and national origins. Additionally, disabilities can have a variety of visible and invisible effects on a person. To effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters, it is crucial for people with disabilities and their families to take into account specific circumstances and needs.
Get Informed
1. Know which disasters might occur in your area, which ones might require an evacuation, and when to seek shelter.
2. Monitor TV and radio while keeping a NOAA weather radio tuned to your neighborhood emergency station. Pay attention to mobile weather alerts and warnings in your area.
3. Get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations across the United States by downloading the FEMA App.
Plan ahead
Could you survive on your own for several days in a disaster? You might not have access to a hospital or even a pharmacy following a disaster. Planning for your daily needs and having a backup plan in case those needs aren’t met is essential. Additional planning actions consist of the following:
1. Establish a support system of individuals who can assist you in an emergency. Maintain a list of contacts in your emergency kit or your electronic devices in a watertight container.
2. Tell your network of supporters where you store your emergency supplies. Consider giving a trusted friend or family member a key to your home or apartment.
3. Prepare ahead of time for any accessible transportation you might require for an evacuation or for commuting during or after a disaster. To find suitable accessible options, check with your emergency management organization and local transit providers.
4. To receive specialized assistance during emergencies and disasters, many city and county emergency management agencies maintain voluntary registries for people with disabilities to self-identify. To learn more, get in touch with the emergency management office in your area.
5. Knowing the location and accessibility of multiple facilities that can assist you is important if you receive dialysis or other life-sustaining medical care.
6. Speak with your doctor or other healthcare professionals about what you can do to keep any electrically powered medical equipment in your home operating during a power outage if you use it. You can also request to be added to a list for priority power restoration from your electricity supplier.
7. Every day, about half of all Americans take a prescription drug. It might be challenging for them to locate an open pharmacy or to refill their prescription during an emergency. To be ready for an emergency, put your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins in order and protection.
8. Wear medical ID bracelets or tags. Additionally, add to your electronic devices any relevant medical information.
9. Consider carrying printed cards or keeping information on your devices if you have a communication disability to let first responders and others know how to get in touch with you.
10. Plan how you will evacuate with your assistive technology if you use it and how you will replace any lost or damaged equipment.
11. Use the online tool provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to find and access your electronic health records from a number of locations.
12. Prepare for kids and adults who might struggle in strange or chaotic environments. Plan for food, water, and supplies while keeping in mind your service or support animal or pets. If you have to evacuate, you’ll need to be aware of whether or not your shelter accepts pets, as some only accept service or support animals.
13. Keep a list of the closest hospitals, clinics, and transportation options.
Get Your Benefits Online
Mail delivery may be delayed by a disaster for days or even weeks. Switching to electronic payments is a simple way to safeguard your finances before a disaster strikes if you rely on Social Security or other regular benefits. Additionally, the chance of checks being stolen is gone. The U.S. Department of the Treasury suggests two more secure ways to receive federal benefits:
To a checking or savings account via direct deposit. You can register online or by calling 800-333-1795 if you receive federal benefits.
Paper checks can be replaced with the Direct Express® prepaid debit card because it is simple and secure. Call 877-212-9991 toll-free or register online.
Create a Kit
An emergency kit should include your basic survival necessities as well as supplies for any additional needs you may have in various emergencies. Think about the things you use regularly and which ones you might want to include in your kit.
Tips for Medications
1. Consult your physician or pharmacist for advice on preparing a medication supply for emergencies.
2. Keep a list of all the prescription drugs you take. Include details about your diagnosis, medication regimen, frequency of use, required medical supplies, and allergies.
3. Keep extra non-prescription medications on hand, such as antihistamines, antidiarrheal drugs, and pain and fever relievers.
4. Keep chemical ice packs and a cooler on hand to quickly chill any necessary medications.
Tips for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
1. Weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert)
2. Extra batteries for hearing aids
3. Paper and a pen (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)
4. When the electricity is out and dark, a battery-operated lantern can facilitate lip-reading or sign language communication.
Tips for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
1. Label emergency supplies in large print or Braille. On a portable flash drive or in an audio file stored in a secure location that you can access, keep a list of your emergency supplies, along with the store where you purchased each item.
2. Keep communication devices tailored to your needs in your emergency supply kit, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device.
Tips for People with Speech Disability
1. Plan how you will evacuate with any assistive technology you use, including augmentative communications devices, and how you will replace any lost or broken equipment. Save the model information and make a note of the equipment’s origin (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
2. If your equipment breaks down, have a plan for how you will communicate with others, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictograms.
Tips for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
1. Charge and keep videos and activities on hand-held electronic devices.
2. Get extra chargers for your electronics and make sure they’re charged.
3. A small pop-up tent or sheets and twine should be included (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy).
4. To reduce auditory stimuli, think about investing in some noise-canceling headphones.
5. Have a supply of comfort foods.
Tips for People with a Mobility Disability
1. For a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices, buy an extra battery. Find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you buy an extra battery if you are unable to do so on your own. Always keep extra batteries charged.
2. If at all possible, keep a lightweight manual wheelchair on hand as a backup if you use a power wheelchair.
3. Demonstrate to others how to set up, take down, and use your wheelchair.
4. If your wheelchair or scooter does not have puncture-proof tires, you might want to keep a patch kit, a can of sealant, and/or an extra inner tube on hand.
5. If you use a walker or cane, always have a spare on hand.
6. Keep a travel air compressor on hand for wheelchair tires.
7. If you need a seat cushion to keep your balance or to protect your skin and you have to evacuate, you might want to keep an extra one on hand.
8. Talk to your neighbors so they can help you if you need to leave the building.
Tips for Individuals with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia
1. Don’t let the person be left alone. Even those who aren’t prone to wandering off might do so in strange settings or circumstances.
2. If you are evacuating, bring a pillow, a blanket, or other comforting items they can hold onto to help them adjust to the change in environment.
3. Try to avoid the exits at a shelter and pick a peaceful area.
4. Respond to the emotions being expressed if there is an agitation episode. Say something like, “You’re scared and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m here with you right now.
Additional Items
1. A few days’ worth of prescription drugs
2. A list of all prescription drugs, their dosages, and any allergies
3. Extra pairs of lenses, contacts, batteries, and hearing aids
4. An additional supply of oxygen
5. A list of medical device types and serial numbers (include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed)
6. Copies of Medicare and insurance cards
7. Information on how to reach the doctors, family members, or friends who should be notified if you are injured
8. Pet food, additional water, an ID collar, health records, and other supplies for your service animal