Five Tips for Emergency Preparedness for People with Developmental Disabilities

Disasters usually strike quickly with little notice, which is why it’s crucial to prepare early. Preparation is extra important for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Disabilities can make emergencies much more stressful, but early preparation can reduce this stress and make sure that needs can be met under challenging circumstances.

Disability intersects every demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders or national origin. And, disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters.

-from ready.gov

Here are some handy tips to help:

1. Find Your Tribe

- Create a support network ahead of time by thinking about who can help you meet your needs during a disaster. This could be relatives, caregivers, friends, neighbors, etc.
- Make sure this network includes at least three people as it’s impossible to guarantee any one person will be available during an emergency.
- Communicate with the people you have chosen, letting them know you will rely on them. Also let them know about special considerations and accommodations you may need.

2. Assess Your Needs:

List your supports: Think of all the adaptive equipment you use to complete activities of daily living
Determine what may not work in an emergency: Make note of any equipment that requires electricity, batteries or water. Electricity and water may be shut off for a time during a disaster.
Think about evacuations: Would you need help evacuating a building? Consider needs you will have for leaving a building, finding a safe spot and communicating your needs.

3. Create a Personalized Emergency Plan:

Meet with your caregiving team: Discuss what you discovered while assessing your needs.
Identify evacuation routes: Determine safe escape routes from home, work, and school.
Gather essential supplies: Prepare a disaster kit with medications, food, water, and other necessities.
Designate a communication plan: Establish a system for contacting family and friends in case of an emergency. Choose at least one out-of-town contact. Print out an emergency contact card and fill in the information. Carry it with you.
Consider transportation: Arrange for transportation in case of evacuation.
Contact first responders and power providers: Let them know if you have special needs. If you have medical equipment that requires electricity, ask your power provider about getting on a priority list for getting power restored.

4. Educate and Practice:

Learn emergency skills: Make sure you know how to call for help, use a fire extinguisher and follow evacuation procedures. Also note the best places for different emergencies: for example, where to go if there is a tornado, earthquake, flood or fire.
Practice drills: Conduct regular drills so emergency procedures become second nature.

5. Create a Disaster Kit:

A bag to hold the items–something you can grab and go in a hurry
Extra cash
Nonperishable food for 3-5 days
Bottled water
First aid kit
Can opener
Toilet paper and paper towels
Plastic bags
Hand sanitizer
Flashlight
Medications and copies of prescriptions
Battery-operated radio
Extra batteries
Adaptive equipment you use regularly
Change of clothing
Blanket
Have backup power options for assistive devices
When possible, have non-electronic backups for assistive devices (ie a manual wheelchair as a backup for an electric one or laminated picture cards as a backup for an assistive communication device)

Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

Keep handheld electronic devices charged and loaded with videos and activities.

Purchase spare chargers for electronic devices and keep them charged.

Include sheets and twine or a small pop-up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy).

Consider a pair of noise-canceling headphones to decrease auditory stimuli.

Have comfort snacks available.

-from ready.gov

Additional Tips:

Identify safe shelters: Research shelters that can accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Update emergency contacts: Keep emergency contact information up-to-date.