September is National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As Hurricane Dorian moves up the East Coast of the US, communities are preparing for or recovering from the damage caused by high winds, flooding, and electrical storms. People with disabilities and their families may be particularly vulnerable during emergency events like hurricanes. Power outages can impact assistive devices, medication or support staff may be unavailable for long periods of time, and evacuation may be more challenging. Planning and preparing are critical to surviving and recovering from an emergency event. We will offer preparedness resources throughout Preparedness Month, starting with a review of some of our most recent articles covering a range of preparedness topics. Each article includes ready-to-use resources and research from NIDILRR-funded studies, as well as resources from the wider disability and rehabilitation community.

• Disasters Happen: Communicate and Be Prepared highlights ways to stay connected to information and services throughout an emergency event.
• Everyone Can Help Their Community Prepare spotlights ways to connect with your neighbors and wider community and get everyone ready for the next big emergency.
• Inclusive Disaster Preparedness: Progress Made and Progress to Come highlights preparedness research funded by NIDILRR throughout its 40 years.
• Emergency Preparedness Resources for the Spanish Speaking Disability Community offers research, resources, and websites for Spanish speakers with disabilities (in Spanish)
• Psychological First Aid covers some tips and resources to help with mental health recovery after an event.
• After the Disaster: Recovery spotlights resources for clean-up, replacing furnishing and assistive devices, and rebuilding your community.

We will share more resources for National Preparedness Month throughout September. Until then, stay safe!