This summer has been difficult for many due to catastrophic natural events happening around the country, including wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, and earthquakes. Adding to the mix, we are in the middle of a hurricane season, and people in Hawai’i are now cleaning up from Hurricane Lala.

Each year around this time, we highlight emergency preparedness and how people with disabilities and their families must consider their unique needs as they plan for these kinds of events. The NARIC team includes people with disabilities and caregivers, and in our team meetings we talked about the importance of being prepared, whether there is a community-wide event like a storm, or an emergency in your own home like a fire or burst pipe. Some of the things we shared:

• Have a “go bag” in an easily accessible location. Our team members said theirs includes:
  • A change of clothes with extra socks.
  • Essential toiletries
  • A written list of medications
  • Spare eyeglasses (new prescription? Put the old one in the bag!)
  • A battery-powered radio with fresh batteries
  • Water and energy bars
  • A small first-aid kit
  • Emergency cash in smaller bills
• If you have a car, keep some items ready to go. In our cars we had:
  • Spare mobility equipment (cane, folding walker)
  • Shovel
  • Blanket or towels
  • Water
  • Air pump and emergency hammer/multi-tool
  • Paper maps, in case phones and GPS don’t work
• If you have service animals or pets
  • Keep labeled leads and carriers where they can be easily reached
  • Bring their medications and food

In our meeting, we reminded each other to check those items at least once a year, refresh batteries or quick foods as needed, and assess what might be missing. We also discussed the importance of knowing where you can go in your community.

Here are some resources from the NIDILRR community and elsewhere which may help you and your family plan and prepare for emergencies, large and small:

• Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities from the Pacific ADA Regional Center
  • Catch their webinar on Personal Emergency Preparedness in October
• Emergency Preparedness for People with Spinal Cord Injury from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center
• Emergency Preparedness Resources from the Administration for Community Living (ACL)
• Resources for People with Disabilities from Ready.gov

Your local Center for Independent Living may also be a good resource for planning and preparing for emergencies in your community.  Please contact our Information Specialists for more help in finding local and national resources to help you be “ready, any time!”