Our Position
The nation learned a painful lesson in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina during which thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, and other vulnerable populations were left behind because no plans for their evacuation had been developed. Since then, NDRN has been working to ensure that people with disabilities are never forgotten in an emergency again. NDRN believes disaster management and emergency preparedness plans at the local, state and national level, as well as in the private sector, must include people with disabilities.
Taking Action
In March, NDRN signed a memorandum of agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will strengthen the Network’s ability to collaborate with officials before, during and after an emergency and ensuring the needs and concerns of individuals with a disability are heard. Read the agreement here.
Also in March, NDRN reached an agreement with the Red Cross to collaborate on issues affecting the disability community. Read that agreement here.
Resources
April 30, 2010: FEMA Intergovernmental Advisory FEMA Urges Residents to Get Ready for Hurricane Season
- Persons with Disabilities and the Flu http://www.hhs.gov/od/
- You may also go directly to flu.gov Persons with Disabilities and Flu, by following this link http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/disabilities/index.html
- To be taken directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published: 2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants, please follow this link http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/disabilities/
- September 30, 2009 - The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today
released the following reports, testimony, and correspondence: Disaster Housing:
FEMA Needs More Detailed Guidance and Performance Measures to Help Ensure
Effective Assistance after Major Disasters. GAO-09-796, August 28
http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-09-796 .
- September 30, 2009 - Detailed Report on the Status of Georgia Flood Activities
- September 29, 2009 - FEMA Statement: American Samoa Earthquake Tsunami Disaster
- September 24, 2009 - See DSHO-H1N1 for Dear State Health Officer letter from CMS
regarding H1N1, discussing among other things high priority populations and
presumptive eligibility
- The National Commission on Children and Disasters approved an Interim Report
to President Obama and Congress. The report identifies several shortcomings in
disaster preparedness, response and recovery and provides recommendations
designed to make children an immediate priority in disaster planning…See Commission Urges President and Congress to Make Children a
Priority in Disaster Planning - September 15, 2009.
- Preparing for H1N1 this Flu Season (September 17, 2009)
- Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small
Businesses and P&As- September 16, 2009
Seasonal flu vaccine is now available and CDC leaders are encouraging everyone to take advantage of this vaccine early this year. It is anticipated that a vaccine for the H1N1 virus will be available sometime in early to mid-October.
See http://www.flu.gov/professional/business/smallbiz.html/?date=091409for recently released guidance for H1N1 targeting small businesses – like the P&As. The guidance is intended to minimize the potential effects of widespread H1N1 flu in the coming weeks and months - 2009 H1N1 Influenza
- H1N1 (Swine) Flu and You Questions & Answers
- Get Disaster Information Fact Sheet
- Fact Sheet - Spring Rainy Season
- FEMA North Dakota Flooding Press Release
- National Voluntary Organizations Assistance Guide
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Disaster Preparedness
- Disaster Preparedness Checklist
- Ready.gov (US Dept of Homeland Security)
FAST FACTS
ReplyDeleteDisability and Emergency/Disaster Management
56.4 million Americans have a disability (20% of the population)
11 million people over age 6 need personal assistance with everyday activities
Among individuals with disabilities 15 years old and over:
o 16.1 million have a cognitive, intellectual or a mental health disability (over 7% of the population)
o 2.5 million have difficulty having their speech understood
o 1.8 million are unable to see printed words
o 1 million are unable to hear conversations
3.3 million people over the age of 14 use a wheelchair
Federal Laws Prohibiting Discrimination in Emergency/Disaster Programs on the Basis of Disability:
Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which revised the Stafford Act;
Americans with Disabilities Act;
Rehabilitation Act;
Fair Housing Act;
Architectural Barriers Act;
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
Telecommunications Act.
Each law above provides affirmative obligations and prohibitions of discrimination on the basis of disability.
No state or local government, or its contractors, in providing services may, by law, policy, or contract, provide services below those standards without violating federal law.
Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
ReplyDeleteBy the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) External Affairs Team
Each year an estimated 2,655 deaths and 13,025 injuries occur as the result of residential building fires. The risk of death or injury from fire is even greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities. Special populations such as people with disabilities, people who are deaf or hard of hearing and individuals who are visually impaired can significantly increase their chances of surviving a fire by practicing proven fire safety precautions. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages individuals with special needs to read and use the following fire safety tips to help protect themselves and their homes from fire....
Visit Disability.gov for more safety tips and emergency preparedness resources in your community.