Access and Functional Needs During a Disaster

As one of the more vulnerable groups, persons with disabilities need special consideration before disaster strikes. If you, your family, friends or neighbors have access or functional needs, planning now will enhance safety and comfort when it matters the most.

Drugstores, medical facilities and accessible shelters may not be operational or reachable during disasters, so take steps to ensure you have necessary supplies and accommodations.

For all people with disabilities

• Establish a personal support network of family, friends, and neighbors who can help during an emergency and get you to a safe place. Maintain a contact list in your disaster kit, and make sure your network knows where you store your emergency supplies. Share a key to your home with someone in your network.
• Maintain a supply of all the items that you will need for 3–5 days. First responders and emergency personnel may not be able to reach you immediately after a disaster.
• Stock up on extra prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and medical supplies. If you have allergies or other chemical or environmental sensitivities, keep cleaning supplies, masks, and other necessary items on hand.
• Consult with your doctors and assistance organizations to develop a backup plan so you have uninterrupted services.
• Keep extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for guide or hearing-ear dogs, etc.
• Maintain a current list of the type and serial numbers of all medical devices.
• Clearly label your assistive devices with your name and contact information.
• Install specialty fire safety devices in the home, such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light. Consider installing a strobe light alarm outside of your home to alert neighbors. Test alarms and extinguishers regularly. Replace smoke alarm batteries every six months.
• If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark all available, accessible exits.
• Keep a flashlight, whistle or bell handy to signal your location to others.

For those with a communication disability

• Include documentation of your contact information and preferred method of communication in your emergency kit.
• If you use assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Be sure to save your model and device information.

For those who are deaf or hard of hearing

• Obtain extra batteries and a spare charger for hearing aids, cochlear implants and other personal assistive listening devices. Create a record of where you got your hearing aids and the batteries they need.
• If you cannot use a TV, radio or computer, plan for how to receive emergency information.
• Secure and use a specialty NOAA Weather Radio for Deaf and Hard of Hearing with an adaptive weather alert system.
• Determine if your mobile phone includes alerting capabilities that signal an emergency using lights and vibrations.
• Keep an analog amplified or captioned telephone in your emergency supply kit.

For those with a mobility disability

• If you use a power wheelchair, store a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup. Know your wheelchair’s weight and size, and if it is collapsible. If your wheelchair or scooter tires are not puncture-proof, keep a patch kit or sealant and an extra inner tube for flat tires.
• Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
• Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times. Note that agencies, service organizations or local charitable groups may be able to help you purchase a spare battery.
• Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker. If you use a seat cushion, take it with you if you evacuate. Have an escape chair if you live or work in a high-rise building.

For those with a visual disability

• Have a talking, Braille or large-print timepiece with extra batteries. Keep model and background information for any assistive technology devices you use (white canes, CCTV, text-to-speech software, etc.).
• Have a backup plan to communicate. Consider using laminated cards with phrases, pictures or pictograms. Keep Braille/text communication cards for two-way communication.

Plan for a power outage

• Charge devices and extra batteries to maintain power to your equipment during electric outages.
• Contact your power company if you use oxygen or mechanical ventilation. Find out what you can expect in a power outage.
• Sign up for automatic power company alerts to stay aware of planned or unplanned power outages and power restoration.
• Plan how you will maintain power during an outage if you cannot be without it. Consider using a backup battery, a generator, solar energy or other alternate electrical resources. Consider how you will keep your medications refrigerated.
• If you need electricity to operate medical equipment in your home, plan with your doctor, health care provider or local emergency management office.

Plan for evacuation

• Identify accessible transportation methods for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify all options.
• Plan how you will contact emergency personnel/first responders regarding your evacuation needs.
• Contact your local emergency management agency and register for lists that identify people with access and functional needs that require evacuation assistance.
• Always carry emergency health information and emergency contacts. Wear a medical alert tag or bracelet. Store important information on a flash drive or mobile device. Make hard copies for easy transport in the event of an evacuation. Have your medical professionals update your medical plan every time they make changes in your treatment or care.
• If you need life-sustaining treatment, such as dialysis, identify more than one potential facility.
• Medical shelters are only appropriate for those with acute health care needs who would otherwise be hospitalized. Contact your emergency management office to assess how local shelters can provide for those with access and functional needs.

Plan for children

• Make plans for children with access and functional needs and others who may have challenges in unfamiliar or chaotic environments (e.g., those with PTSD).
• Consider handheld electronic devices with movies and games (with extra batteries or chargers and headphones), sheets and twine or a small pop-up tent, and snacks and toys.

Plan for financial stability

If you receive Social Security or other regular benefits, consider switching to electronic payments as disasters can interrupt mail service for days or weeks. Your options may include a direct deposit to your bank account or the Direct Express® prepaid debit card. Get more information on going paperless with your benefits.

More Resources

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