ODEP - Office of Disability Employment Policy
Disability Employment Policy Resources by Topic
Emergency Preparedness
Individuals with disabilities should feel as safe and secure in their communities and work environments as individuals without disabilities. Too often, however, the needs of people with disabilities are not considered in emergency planning, despite the fact that the need for such planning has received an increased focus due to recent disasters, both natural and man-made.
To help address this disparity, ODEP through its leadership on the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities helped develop several resources to assist individuals, organizations, and employers create emergency preparedness plans that take into account the needs of people with disabilities.
The following provide more information about emergency preparedness and people with disabilities:
Tools and Guidelines
- Preparing the Workplace for Everyone: Accounting for the Needs of People with Disabilities Practical guidelines to help emergency managers and employees plan for workplace emergencies. Developed by a committee of Federal agencies, this framework has had several updates.
- Addenda Serving individuals with disabilities during an emergency
- Effective Emergency Preparedness Planning: Addressing the Needs of Employees with Disabilities Fact sheet that provides overview of how to effectively take into account the needs and perspectives of people with disabilities in workplace emergency preparedness plans.
Additional Resources
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) ODEP funded service that provides free, expert and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations for people with disabilities, including information on emergency preparedness planning.
- Employers' Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans