RAISE The Standard, November 2024, v.11 n.1 | |
Emergency preparedness means guessing ahead. It is impossible to know what emergency will strike, when it will strike, or how it may affect you. But it is possible to plan for the unexpected. In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we will explore how people with disabilities can prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. | |
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Teddy Cromartie works to ensure that people with disabilities have their needs met in the event of a disaster. He is also blind. He is featured in a short video for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and outlines four key steps to take in case of disaster.
- Be informed.
- Make a plan.
- Build a kit.
- Get involved.
Click here to access Teddy’s video >>
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Transportation in an Emergency | |
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In a disaster one of the greatest challenges for people with disabilities is finding transportation away from the dangerous area. In some circumstances, this means public transportation. Federal policy encourages transportation providers to work with emergency managers and personnel to ensure that people with disabilities can evacuate safely. But awareness of the available options is key. Here are some tips:
- Know what disasters you might encounter, which ones call for evacuation, and which ones require you to shelter in place.
- Follow weather warnings and other alerts and evacuate early if called for.
- Check if the transport has safety belts and wheelchair tiedowns compatible with your equipment.
- Consider any individual needs and preferences regarding public transportation; you might bring headphones, items, or activities to meet sensory processing needs.
- Bring a kit with the needed items to make it on your own for several days.
Click here to access the full article on the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center’s website >>
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Documents to Have Ready
In a disaster, most people think of supplies, escape routes, and other immediate needs. But communication is key in a crisis! Talk to family, friends, or those close to you about what you might need to communicate in an emergency, and how you might need to communicate. Have the information in one place, with any evacuation supplies. Written information you might need to share include:
- Family names
- Addresses
- Phone numbers (if your phone is dead, do you remember the number?)
- Information about pets
- Communication preferences
- Native Language
- Medication
- Medical information (doctor numbers, any individual information)
- Old utility bills to prove residence when applying for assistance
- Plans for disability management (equipment needed, supplies)
Click here to access Family Disaster Plan Sample >>
Click here to access a Family Emergency Communication Plan >>
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In this issue of RAISE The Standard, we focus on REAL Transition Partners, a collaboration between 26 parent organizations centered in the Northeastern region:
https://spanadvocacy.org/programs/real/
REAL Transition Partners provides a variety of innovative and responsive services, support, and information that enables youth and young adults with disabilities and their families to:
- access information about the Rehabilitation Act.
- navigate multiple programs and service systems.
- actively participate in the development of useful, relevant, and meaningful plans for independence.
- collaborate with transition professionals as leaders to help youth impacted by disability achieve their goals.
These services:
- are designed with and involve diverse youth/young adults with disabilities and their families.
- highlight the region’s strengths and collaborative spirit, and evolve as needs and contexts change.
- occur through a regional Community of Practice that enhances participating Parent Center capacity, reach, and partnerships around transition and adult service systems.
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Understanding Natural Supports in Diverse Adults with IDD, hosted by AAIDD
Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 at 2:30 pm Eastern Standard Time
This webinar will teach attendees about natural supports used by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It will address who provides natural support and the variables associated with increased natural supports. Attendance costs ten dollars.
Click here to register >>
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Collaboration • Empowerment • Capacity-building | |
RAISE The Standard enewsletter identifies and shares resources that the Rehabilitation Services Administration Parent Training and Information Centers (RSA-PTI) can use and share with families. | |
The RAISE Technical Assistance Center is working to advance the accessibility of its digital resources, including its websites, enewsletters and various digital documents. | |
RAISE, the National Resources for Access, Independence, Self-Advocacy and Employment is a user-centered technical assistance center that understands the needs and assets of the RSA-PTIs, coordinates efforts with the Technical Assistance provided by PTI centers and involves RSA-PTIs as key advisors and partners in all product and service development and delivery. | |  |
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The RAISE Center is a project of the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network and is funded by the US Department of Education's Rehabilitation Service Administration. The contents of this resource were developed under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Education (H235G200007)). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education and should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
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