Two Emergency Preparedness Resources: CMS Open Doors Forum and ACL Article

ANCOR is sharing these two resources during National Preparedness Month because the disability community is more vulnerable than their peers without disabilities during natural and other emergencies.

CMS Open Door Forum:

• Tuesday, September 17 at 1pm ET
• Topic: Inclusive Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities and Older Adults
• Dial-in: 1-888-455-1397 & Reference Passcode: 4676500

Key highlights from ACL Article: “Emergency Preparedness is Everyone’s Business“

“Emergency preparation is important for everyone. However, older adults and people with disabilities often face additional challenges during emergencies because of health issues, mobility challenges, and use of devices that rely on power. Those individual circumstances make having a plan absolutely critical.

Whether you’re updating your existing plan, or creating one for the first time, asking yourself these questions can help frame what you need to think about:

• What kinds of disasters are most likely to affect your community?
• How might a disaster affect you?
• Is evacuation a likely possibility? Where would you go?
• Could you make it on your own for at least three days? What would you need?
• What problems would you experience if you did not have power for 8 hours? 24 hours? A week?

Every plan will be different, based on individual needs. However, everyone should have an emergency kit that includes food, water, and at least a week of medications. Include this this card, completed with your vital medical information, and if you have a communication-related disability, this card can help first-responders assist you in the way that is best for you. Include a flashlight and extra batteries, and first aid supplies. Ready.gov has an outstanding emergency kit checklist that will help you think of everything you need. (For additional ideas, see this checklist for kids.)”

Don’t miss: The full article, linked to above, also mentions concerns such as finding shelters that can accommodate individual needs, finding accessible transportation, and noting facilities that support more advanced medical needs.