Hurricane Preparedness Tips for People with Disabilities
Make a Plan
Create a support network. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit.
Be ready to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and choose to go to a shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, personal assistant, and your assistive technology devices, and supplies.
Plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation, or paratransit to identify your local or private accessible transportation options.
Inform your support network where you keep your emergency supplies. You may want to consider giving one member a key to your house or apartment.
Contact your city or county government’s emergency management agency or office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency.
If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.
Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
If you have a communication disability, make sure your emergency information explains the best way to communicate with you.
If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model information and notes about where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.)
If you use assistive technology devices, such as white canes, CCTV, or text-to-speech software, keep information about model numbers and where you purchased the equipment, etc.
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases, pictures, or pictograms.
Keep Braille/text communication cards, if used, for two-way communication.
Plan for children with disabilities and people who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic places.
Tips for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A weather radio with a text display and a flashing alert
Extra hearing-aid batteries
A TTY
Pen and paper in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language
Tips for people who are blind or have low vision
Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies, and where you bought it, on a portable flash drive, or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
Keep a Braille, or Deaf-Blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.
Tips for People with Speech Disability
If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model information, where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.)
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictograms.
Tips for People with a Mobility Disability
If you use a power wheelchair, if possible, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
Show others how to operate your wheelchair. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times.
Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or an extra inner tube in case your wheelchair or scooter tires are not puncture proof.
Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.
Tips for Individuals who May Need Behavioral Support
Plan for children with disabilities and people including individuals who may have post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.
This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine, or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
Additional Items
At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries
Extra wheelchair batteries (manual wheelchair if possible) and/or oxygen
A list of styles and serial numbers of your medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
Contact information for doctors, relatives, or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar, with ID tag, medical records, and other supplies for your service animal
Handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
