Disability Community Preparedness
Preparing for an emergency or disaster is crucial for everyone, especially for the disabled community. Here are some steps to help ensure safety and readiness:
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Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a personalized emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, contact information for caregivers, and a list of essential items and medications. American Red Cross: Inclusive Preparedness Resources and 8 Ways People with Disabilities Can Become More Disaster Resilient | FEMA
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Build an Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with necessary supplies such as medications, medical equipment, assistive devices, and personal care items. Don't forget to include copies of important documents. Emergency Supply Kits with Checklist | ADA NATIONAL NETWORK
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Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with local news and weather forecasts. Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications from local authorities. ALERT NORTHSHORE
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Practice Evacuation Drills: Regularly practice evacuation drills to ensure everyone knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.
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Communicate Needs: Inform neighbors, caregivers, and local emergency services about your specific needs and any assistance you may require during an emergency. Show Me is a suite of tools to help with communication Emergency Communication Card | Mass Gov
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Register with Local Services: Consider registering with local emergency services or disability registries, but remember that these should not be solely relied upon for safety.
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An introduction to disability language etiquette for allies. CLICK HERE
CLICK on the buttons for more information:
Here are some useful web links for the disabled community regarding emergency preparedness and disaster response:
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Ready.gov Disability Page: Information center to assist people with disabilities and other special needs.
www.ready.gov/disability-toolkit
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CDC Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities: This page provides resources to help you feel more prepared and safer during emergencies. CDC Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities
www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/people-with-disabilities/index.html
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Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies: Offers practical advice and resources for emergency preparedness tailored to the disability community. Emergency Preparedness: A Common Sense Measure for the Disability Community
disasterstrategies.org/emergency-preparedness-a-common-sense-measure-for-the-disability-community/
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HHS Emergency Preparedness Resources for Persons with Disabilities: This page includes various resources and best practices for emergency management under Title II of the ADA. HHS Emergency Preparedness Resources for Persons with Disabilities
www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/for-individuals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/resources-persons-disabilities/index.html
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Preparedness Resources (NEW)
In Washington State there are more than 600,000 people that have a hearing loss; this includes individuals who are late deafened, senior citizens, State employees and veterans. Some of these people may not be aware of the available technology that can assist them.
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Consider installing a NOAA Weather Radio/Fire/CO2/Door/Smartphone Notification System that provides a loud audible alarm, flashing strobe light, and/or vibrating bed shaker.
These are examples of systems. This is Not a product endorsment:
Key points:
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People with hearing loss may not be able to hear traditional smoke alarms, especially at night when not wearing hearing aids.
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Alarms that use strobe lights, vibrations or a combination of these can help alert those with hearing difficulties.
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Make sure to buy your smoke detectors from a reputable company and have more than one in your home for optimal safety.
ADA Certified Hearing Impaired Devices will enhance your in home smoke, fire and carbon monoxide defense safety while being mindful of hearing loss. Outfitted your home with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that implement an LED strobe light. Hearing impaired alarms with LED strobe lights have also been recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing should use alarms with strobe (flashing) lights that have been tested by an independent testing laboratory. The alarms for sleeping areas with strobe lights are required to be of a special high intensity that can wake a sleeping person.
Alarm’s primary function is to alert its surroundings to the presence of smoke, fire and carbon monoxide (depending on model). While capable of identifying smoke, a standard smoke detector would be a poor candidate for alerting me and anyone else who’s hearing impaired. Before we get started, Ensure Hearing Impaired Alarms meet UL Standards while fulfilling the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.
FREE Fire Alarms
Free smoke alarms maybe available to elderly (65+), disabled individuals, and low-income families. Criteria vary by city and location; some areas offer alarms to all residents in high-risk zones. Requests can be made by contacting local fire services or the Red Cross. For Seattle residents, the Seattle Fire Department has a program for qualifying homeowners, while other areas can contact their specific local fire department, like South King Fire & Rescue or Eastside Fire & Rescue. The American Red Cross also runs a nationwide campaign called "Sound the Alarm" to install free smoke alarms.
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Provides free combination smoke/CO alarms to qualifying Seattle homeowners who are seniors, low-income, or have a disability.
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Offers free smoke detectors and CO alarms to residents in need, including installation services.
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Provides free smoke alarms through a partnership with the American Red Cross for those who cannot afford or physically install them.
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Other King County fire departments:
Many other local fire departments in King County, such as West Pierce Fire & Rescue (serving parts of the county), have their own smoke alarm programs for residents in their district. It's best to contact your specific local department to inquire about their services.
Contact the American Red Cross
Northwest Region:
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The American Red Cross has a Home Fire Campaign that provides and installs free smoke alarms through local volunteers.
Register online:
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You can sign up directly with the American Red Cross for a free smoke alarm installation through their website.
Download Smoke/CO alarm safety print-outs
For disabled individuals and parents, knowing life-saving activities is crucial for ensuring safety and well-being. Here are some key skills to consider:
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ACT First Aid and CPR: ACT To Save a Life is a free one-hour first aid class that focuses on three skills you can use to save a life in the first few minutes of an emergency: Antidote (Narcan) for suspected opiate overdoses, CPR and AED training for cardiac arrest, and how to apply a Tourniquet for severe bleeding control.
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Stop The Bleed: The number one cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. The American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed Interactive Course guides individuals through the three methods of bleeding control using video demonstrations, interactive learning, and spontaneous quizzes. Take a Class and get a certificate.
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First Aid and CPR: Basic first aid and CPR techniques can be vital in emergency situations. Many organizations offer specialized training for people with disabilities.
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Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): CERT educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards that may occur where they live. The program trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills, such as: fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. CERT | FEMA CERT | NEMCo Online FEMA Course IS-317.A
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Emergency Evacuation: Understand how to safely evacuate from a building or home during an emergency, including using accessible routes and exits.
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Communication: Effectively communicate your needs and location to emergency responders, especially if you have mobility or speech impairments.
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Medication Management: Know how to manage and administer medications, including having a list of all medications and dosages readily available.
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Disaster Preparedness: Create an emergency plan that includes specific needs, such as accessible transportation and medical equipment.
The above skills can significantly enhance safety and preparedness for disabled individuals and parents.
Washington Disability History and Awareness Month (RCW 28A.230.158) takes place every October to increase awareness, respect, and acceptance for people with disabilities, and to bring a greater sense of pride to people with disabilities. All Washington public schools are required to conduct or promote educational activities that provide instruction, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities. The activities may include, but not be limited to, school assemblies or guest speaker presentations.
Student Supplies
Each parent needs to work with their class teacher, school nurse and school emergency coordinator to ensure a plans are in place for an emergency or a disaster.
Emergency kits
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Schools and parents can prepare emergency kits for students with disabilities that include specialized food, medication, and other items.
Individual emergency plans
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Schools and parents can create individual emergency plans for students with disabilities that account for their specific needs.
Confidential roster
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Schools can create a confidential roster of students with disabilities that includes their potential needs during an emergency or a disaster.
Food allergy considerations
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Schools and parents can ensure that emergency food supplies are safe for students with food allergies.
Parent Letter
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Parents write a letter to your child and provide a family picture then put it in their child's back pack which the child can then open during an event to reassure them.
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https://www.adapacific.org/emergency-preparedness-for-people-with-disabilities/
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https://www.adapacific.org/emergency-preparedness-for-government-and-organizations/
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https://www.wasilc.org/coalition-on-inclusive-emergency-planning
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Active Shooter/Threat Guidance for Disability Service Providers
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IS-368.A: Including People With Disabilities in Disaster Operations