Office for Civil Rights

Emergency Preparedness Planning and Response

OCR resources

Emergency Preparedness Planning and HIPAA Privacy Rule:
- Press Release: HHS Announces New HIPAA Privacy Decision Tool for Emergency Preparedness Planning
- Emergency Preparedness Planning and HIPAA Privacy Rule:Disclosures for Emergency Preparedness - A Decision Tool
Emergency Response and HIPAA Privacy Rule:
- Hurricane Katrina Bulletin: Disclosing PHI in Emergency Situations [PDF - 30KB]
- Hurricane Katrina Bulletin 2: Compliance Guidance and Enforcement Statement [PDF - 148KB]

HHS resources

HHS and DHS co-sponsored: Working Conference on Emergency Management and Individuals with Disabilities and the Elderly (June 2006) - A conference for state emergency management officials and disability and aging experts to work with Federal officials to address emergency planning issues for people with disabilities and the elderly. Now Available: Post Conference Report, Transcripts, State Quarterly Reports and Items of Interest.
AoA: Emergency Assistance Guide (PDF) - preparedness and planning guide to assist the National Aging Network and others in planning for and responding to the special needs of older persons in the event of a disaster.
AHRQ: Disaster Response Tools and Resources - an information site that can be used during emergency events and natural disasters to assist in response and recovery efforts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Hurricane Public Service Announcements are available in American Sign Language and in other languages. You can also get copies of the scripts of all the videos at this website if you can't understand the audio. All video files are available for Windows Media Player.
Office on Disability:
- Emergency Preparedness and Response for People with Disabilities
- Dealing with Disabilities: Tips for First Responders - emergency response for assisting the elderly and individuals with disabilities [PDF - 660KB]
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
- National Mental Health Center: Developing Cultural Competence in Disaster Mental Health Programs: Guiding Principles and Recommendations [PDF - 872KB]
- Health Services Administration: Disaster Readiness and Response Information - Professional resources for service providers during disasters

Other Federal resources

White House Executive Order: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness
Access Board: Resources on Emergency Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness - ADA Design Requirements for Accessible Egress, Resources on Evacuation Planning and Assistive Products, and Resources on Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management
Federal Partner Mental Health Transformation Priority Workgroup on Disaster and Emergency Response: Federal Resource Collection on Disaster Behavioral Health - A resource collection containing a variety of federally produced disaster behavioral health materials
FEMA and the American Red Cross: Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs (PDF) - a personal assessment booklet to prepare for the event of a disaster
Fire Administration: Emergency Procedures for Employees with Disabilities in Office Occupancies (PDF) - information to aid individuals who might need special assistance in the event (or notification) of an emergency situation and/or in the evacuation of a building
Department of Homeland Security:
- A Reference Guide for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing and Human Services outlines existing legal requirements and standards relating to access for people with disabilities. The Guide is an important tool for disaster preparedness and response planners and service providers at all levels.
- Ready America, Get a Kit - People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs - Recommended items to include in an emergency supply kit for persons with disabilities and other special needs
- Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities
- Disability Preparedness Resource Center - a site to assist individuals with disabilities and their families and service providers prepare for an emergency
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Fair Housing Disaster Toolkit (PDF) provides information and samples to assist fair housing professionals, states, localities and other disaster recovery agencies to better understand the connection between Fair Housing Act responsibility and disaster recovery.
Department of Justice:
- ADA Best Practices Toolkit for State and Local Governments, Chapter 7, Emergency Management under Title II of the ADA - information about how to make emergency management programs, services and activities accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities.
- Emergency Preparedness ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities
- Civil Rights Memorandum on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Race, Color, or National Origin: Hurricane-Related Issues - Responding to the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) and other vulnerable communities affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. [PDF - 235KB]
Department of Labor:
- DisabilityInfo.gov - online resource for Americans with disabilities to obtain emergency preparedness and other information
- Office of Disability Employment Policy: Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities - departmental guidance on the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency or in the event of a natural disaster
Department of Transportation: Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities - departmental guidance on the transportation needs of people with disabilities during an emergency or in the event of a natural disaster

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Last revised: September 6, 2007

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