Emergency Preparedness Planning with a Disability

If you are creating an emergency preparedness plan and you have a disability, you may want to put some thought into how it might be a challenge. For example, if you have kidney failure and rely on dialysis 3 or 4 times each week, what would you do if your local site were destroyed in a disaster? Are you aware of other sites where you could go? What information would you need in order for them to serve you?

Or, if you have PTSD aggravated by loud noises, how do you think you’d do at a public evacuation site? What if you’re housed in a gymnasium with a lot of other people? What if a lot of children are housed in the same room with you? How will you cope? Placed in a similar situation, many individuals with PTSD might refuse to go to a public site, taking the risk of remaining at home.

Planning for how you’ll respond when you have a disability can be challenging. If you have kidney failure, you may not know that there is a special diet you can follow to stretch out the time between dialysis sessions. Having a copy of that diet in your Go Kit could be a lifesaver!

If you have PTSD, then you may want to put a list of relaxation methods in your Go Kit. Or perhaps carry some of your medication in your Go Kit so you’ll have it if you need it. Have you considered adding some clothesline and four sheets to your Go Kit so you can block off some of the stimulating sights and sounds that may be triggers for you?

A Go Kit is a small bag or box with the things you may need if you must leave home fast. It can help you stay more comfortable and more safe in a shelter or at a friend’s house. Think about what would help you keep your routine as much as possible. That may include medicine, food, water, charging cords, a flashlight, extra batteries, copies of important papers, and items that help with your disability.

It can also help to write down your medical needs in plain words. If you use dialysis, say how often you need it and where you go now. If you use a wheelchair, say what type and what kind of help you need to move safely. If loud noise, bright lights, or crowds are hard for you, write that down too. This can help shelter staff or family members understand your needs faster.

Try to think through a few different emergencies. What if you lose power? What if roads are blocked? What if you cannot get to your regular pharmacy? What if you have to leave home with only a few minutes of warning? When you practice these questions before a real emergency, you may find gaps in your plan that you can fix now.

It can also help to talk with people you trust. Let family members, friends, or caregivers know what you need and where your Go Kit is kept. Pick one or two people who can check on you or help you leave if needed. If you depend on equipment, ask about backup power or another way to keep it working. If you need medicine, keep a current list of your prescriptions and dosages in your kit.

If you have PTSD, having a few comfort items can make a big difference. A small blanket, earplugs, sunglasses, a favorite book, or a calming object may help you feel more grounded. If you use relaxation methods, write them on a card and keep it in your Go Kit. Simple steps like breathing slowly, counting objects, or stepping away from noise can help you get through a hard moment.

If you have kidney failure, planning ahead can help protect your health while you wait for services to return. You may want to know where other dialysis sites are located and what records they need from you. Keep names and phone numbers in your kit if you have them. It may also help to keep a copy of your special diet and any instructions from your care team. That way, if you are in a stressful place, you do not have to remember everything at once.

Do not forget the basics that many people need in an emergency, such as water, snacks, a phone charger, a battery pack, a list of emergency contacts, and a written copy of important phone numbers. For people with disabilities, the same basics may need to be added to extra items that match their needs. That might be a backup pair of glasses, hearing aid batteries, a manual wheelchair cushion, or supplies for personal care.

If you can, keep your Go Kit in a place where you can grab it quickly. If you use more than one device or bag, keep all parts together if possible. Check your kit once in a while and replace expired food, medicine, and batteries. Make sure the papers in it are still current. A plan only works if it is ready when you need it.

If you’d like help designing your emergency preparedness plan in light of your specific disability, please call Disability Network Lakeshore at 616-396-5326. Our services are free, and we can help you think through your needs in a practical way.

Our World still has barriers for people with disabilities.

Whether you're an individual or a company, searching for disability resources is discouraging and frustrating. And when you don't have the right tools, individuals and communities suffer. Wouldn't you like to live in an inclusive community where everyone can participate, contribute, and belong?

Emergency planning is part of that work. A strong plan should not assume that everyone can evacuate the same way or use the same shelter the same way. People with disabilities may need more time, more space, quiet, a working power source, or help getting medical care. When those needs are built into the plan from the start, more people can stay safe.

The right resources are hard to find. We get it.

We understand how it feels to struggle to fully participate in an inaccessible community, which is why we help people find and use disability resources.

That includes helping people think about readiness before an emergency happens. A few simple questions can guide your plan: What do I need every day? What would I need if I could not get home right away? Who can help me? What do I need to explain to others so they can help me well? Clear answers can make a hard situation less confusing.

If you are a person with a disability, or you help someone who is, it can be useful to make your plan in steps:

List the disability-related supports you need each day.
Write down what you would need if those supports were interrupted.
Pack a Go Kit with key items and papers.
Tell at least one trusted person about your plan.
Practice what you would do if you had to leave quickly.

If you are unsure where to begin, start small. Even one folder with copies of records, a few days of supplies, and a short list of contacts can help. Then build from there.

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442 Century Lane
Holland, MI 49423

Services

Advocacy

Assistance Animals

Information & Referral

Peer Support

Emergency Readiness

Social Security Disability

Social Participation

Veterans

Skills Development

Employment

Transition

Nursing Home Transition

Youth Services