Disaster Preparedness Tips for People with Disabilities

Author: Excerpted by Brittney Bettonville - Lighthouse for the Blind - Saint Louis
Published: 2018/12/22 - Updated: 2026/03/02
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Category Topic: Emergency Planning - Related Publications

Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This information is excerpted from the official FEMA and American Red Cross emergency preparedness booklet, tailored specifically for people with disabilities, seniors, and special needs populations. The guidance draws on federal emergency management expertise to address the unique challenges disabled individuals face during natural disasters, including backup power for medical equipment, creating personal support networks, and planning for sensory or mobility limitations. It is particularly useful for the roughly 57 million Americans living with a disability, as well as their caregivers and personal care attendants, who need practical and actionable steps to stay safe when emergencies strike - Disabled World (DW).

Definition: Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities: Disaster preparedness for people with disabilities refers to the specific planning, resources, and support systems needed to help individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, or medical conditions protect themselves before, during, and after natural disasters or emergencies. It includes establishing personal support networks, securing backup power sources for essential medical equipment, arranging alternative mobility aids, and coordinating with caregivers and emergency services to address accessibility needs that standard emergency plans may not cover. Federal agencies such as FEMA and organizations like the American Red Cross publish targeted guidelines to ensure disabled individuals, seniors, and special needs populations are not left behind when disaster strikes.

Introduction

Natural Disaster Preparation for People with Disabilities and Special Needs

About 56.7 million people - 19 percent of the U.S. population - have a disability, with more than half reporting a severe disability, according to a U.S. Census report.

FEMA and The American Red Cross have published a booklet to help people with disabilities prepare to protect themselves, their personal care assistant and others in case of an emergency. The booklet also applies to elderly and other special needs populations.

Main Content

Helpful Excerpts from the Booklet

Create a personal support network to help a person with disabilities prepare for a natural disaster with assistance before, during and after the emergency occurs.
Support network members should be trustworthy people recruited from among friends, family or coworkers who will provide assistance in challenging conditions.
Learn what to do in case of power outages or personal injuries. Know how to connect and start a back-up power supply such as a portable electrical generator for essential medical equipment.
Consider getting a medical alert system that will allow a person who is disabled to call for help if they are immobilized in an emergency. Most alert systems require a phone "land line," so have a back-up plan, such as a cell phone or pager.
If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, have a manual wheelchair for backup.
Store back-up equipment (for mobility, medical applications, etc.) at a neighbor's home, school or your workplace.
Instruct support network members who may need to assist in an emergency how to operate necessary equipment. Label equipment and attach laminated instructions for its use.
Arrange for more than one person from the personal support network to check in before, during (if possible) and soon after an emergency, so there is at least one back-up if the primary support person is unavailable.
If vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, the person who is disabled should plan ahead for someone to convey essential emergency information that is broadcast by TV or radio.
If a personal care attendant from an agency is used, determine if the agency has provisions for emergencies, such as providing services at another location if evacuation is ordered.
Ask apartment managers to identify and mark accessible exits and access to all areas designated for emergency shelter or safe rooms. Ask about plans for alerting and evacuating people with sensory disabilities.
Keep an extra cell phone charged up and ready for use by people who are disabled so they can let someone know where they are and guide them to safety. Keep extra first response phone numbers handy in case the local 9-1-1 emergency number is overloaded.
Be prepared to provide clear, specific and concise instructions to rescue personnel. Practice giving these instructions (verbally, pre-printed phrases, word board) clearly and quickly.
Prepare the personal support network to assist with handling emotions associated with disaster and traumatic events (confusion, thought processing or memory difficulties, agitation, fear, panic or anxiety).

Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis

Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that helps individuals who are legally blind maintain dignity and independence through gainful employment, education and support services.

For details about Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis services and programs, please call 800.542.3697 or 314.423.4333.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Emergency preparedness is not a one-size-fits-all effort, and the stakes are considerably higher for people who rely on powered medical equipment, mobility devices, or personal care assistance. What makes this guidance worth revisiting is its focus on the practical details that general disaster plans tend to overlook - things like labeling backup equipment with laminated instructions, pre-arranging check-ins with more than one support network member, and knowing how to clearly communicate needs to rescue personnel under pressure. For disabled individuals, seniors, and caregivers, taking even a few of these steps before disaster hits can mean the difference between a manageable crisis and a life-threatening one - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Excerpted by Brittney Bettonville - Lighthouse for the Blind - Saint Louis and published on 2018/12/22, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.