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The sites below can help people with disabilities or access and functional needs learn how to prepare for a disaster. Find information on things like how to create an emergency plan as well as alerting tools and equipment.
Caregivers and communities may also find these sites helpful.
Office of Disability Integration and Coordination - Find resources to help the whole community learn about emergency preparedness and disaster response. The site focuses on the needs of people with disabilities or access and functional needs. Learn how you can help, find news updates, and sign up to get email. (FEMA)
Individuals With Disabilities and Others With Access and Functional Needs - If you have a disability or access and functional need, you may have more to think about as you plan for emergencies. Learn how to make a disaster supply kit as well as an emergency plan. The plan can help you create a support network, gather important records and contacts, and plan for power outages. (Ready.gov)
Emergency Warnings for People With Hearing Loss - Learn how to use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio (NWR) as an alerting tool. You can also find questions and answers as well as equipment lists and vendors. There’s even a basic diagram on how to connect devices to the NWR receiver. (National Weather Service)
Disability.gov - Emergency Preparedness - View a list with lots of preparedness resources for people with disabilities or access and functional needs. Search either nationwide or by state. Learn how to shelter-in-place, manage stress, and more. You can also find answers to questions about things like benefits, employment, and housing. (Department of Labor)
You can download these guides and accommodation cards to help people with disabilities or access and functional needs prepare for and respond to disasters.
Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities (PDF, 1 MB) - This guide can be downloaded and used by anyone, with or without a disability, to help you prepare for disasters. The guide includes information that can help you create a personal disaster plan as well as plans for service animals and pets. (American Red Cross)
Readiness Guide for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals (PDF, 576 KB) - Do you need help to prepare a disaster plan? You can download and use this form to guide you in making a personalized plan. You can record things like concerns you have, contacts, needed supplies, how to evacuate, and shelter locations. (Kentucky’s Governor’s Office)
Disaster Preparedness and the Deaf Community (PDF, 704 KB) - This guide offers three sections: The Four Steps for Preparedness, When Disaster Strikes, and Emergency Contact Cards. Learn how to make a plan and build a kit, and what to do during and after a disaster. You can also print communication and emergency contact cards to carry with you. (American Red Cross)
Communication Cards - If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind, these cards can help you in an emergency. Carry and use them any time you or a family member face a situation where you must make your communication needs known. (State of Illinois)
Create your own Communication Cards:
Created for people with disabilities, the videos below can help you learn about disaster preparedness. They may offer American Sign Language (ASL), captioning, or transcripts.
Registering for FEMA Assistance (ASL) - This video is designed to help the hearing impaired learn about disaster assistance. Get contact information and learn what you need to have ready in order to register by phone or online. (FEMA)
Answers to Questions About Federal Disaster Aid in American Sign Language - Get answers to questions about disaster assistance. Things like individual assistance, how to apply, and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. (FEMA)
Improving Services to Those with Functional Needs - Find out what FEMA is doing with other agencies to ensure everyone gets equal assistance. This includes agencies at local, state, and federal levels. (FEMA)
Disability Tools in a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) - By law, DRCs must be in buildings that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn about the tools they offer for people with disabilities or access and functional needs. They include signage, braille and large-print materials, devices for hearing and visual assistance, and access to interpreters. (FEMA)
American Sign Language Videos: Together We Prepare - Learn how you can prepare for an emergency. Learn how to create an emergency plan, how to shelter-in-place, or even how to evacuate. You can also get severe weather facts and learn what to do before, during, and after a storm. (Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Disaster Preparedness - Learn in detail how to prepare an emergency kit for your home, car, or office. You can also learn how to create a family communication plan. It should include things like meeting locations, contacts, and even a “safe” code for your children. You should also prepare to practice your plan. (Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service)
