People with disabilities face the same challenges as other members of the community when it comes to safety at home, work, on the move, emergency preparedness, and injury and violence prevention. However, people with disabilities face additional challenges as well.
Safety
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
Individuals with disabilities often are disproportionately impacted during times of disaster. A variety of barriers may already exist such as lack of transportation and inaccessible buildings, and other barriers are either created or exacerbated by the disaster itself. Effective and inclusive evacuation, sheltering, and other response and recovery activities are critical.
People with disabilities who are self-sufficient under regular circumstances may have to rely on the help of others in an emergency. They may need more time than others to make necessary preparations for an emergency. Arrangements need to be made for service animals and necessary medical equipment. The following resources will help you safely prepare for emergencies:
Tools and information that people with disabilities and other access and functional needs may wish to consider when making their emergency plans and preparations.
Are You Ready: An in-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
The guide has been designed to help the citizens learn how to protect themselves and their families against all types of hazards. It can be used as a reference source or as a step-by-step manual. The focus of the content is on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property.
Complete disaster relief information
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools TA Center
The Center for School Preparedness provides support, resources, grants, and training to support emergency management efforts for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs).
An interactive web site that brings together some exemplary current best practice efforts addressing disaster-related needs of people with disabilities. These are innovative ideas or fresh approaches using proven methods that can be replicated at the state, county or grassroots level.
Provides information on disaster assistance from over 17 government agencies as well as online applications for assistance.
Transportation Safety
Keeping Children with Special Needs Safe in the Home
A series of safety videos highlighting how you can take precautions in the home to help prevent injuries to children with physical, developmental or cognitive disabilities. Information is applicable to adults with disabilities as well.
Department of Justice’s Resources on Crime Victims with Disabilities
Resources from the Office on Crime Victims designed to promote awareness of the issues faced by crime victims with disabilities and to improve each community’s capacity to better serve them.
People with disabilities might need extra time and assistance when evacuating a building during a fire or fire drill. The following resources provide information on safe evacuations:
Employers’ Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans
Information about employers’ legal obligation to develop emergency evacuation plans and how to include employees with disabilities in such plans.
National Fire Protection Association’s Resources for People with Disabilities
Fire safety resources including materials for children, educators, employers, and landlords.
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