Project Director's Report
The Best Laid Plans...
At work or at home, a natural disaster, like a hurricane, or a man-made disaster, like 9/11, can strike anyone - anytime - anywhere. If you haven't thought about emergency plans, you could be left behind. On the federal level, Senator Tom Harkin has introduced a new bill (D-IA) Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2005. Harkin was the chief sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and continues to seek equality of opportunity and full participation for millions of Americans with disabilities. In our current newsletter, you can read about how his recent legislation will address the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts (page 3). However, this issue of Access New England also highlights the importance of each one of us taking individual responsibility to prepare to meet his or her basic needs in a disaster by relying on ourselves, friends, co-workers, and family.
In preparing for an emergency and evacuation, ask yourself two important questions:
- What will I need?
- How will I get to safety?
What will I need?
Beyond our common basic human needs (food, water, and safe shelter), we all have different needs. On page 9, you will find website references with helpful lists of basic items needed in a disaster. Also, as people with disabilities, each one of us must be ready to meet our own specific needs; such as storing sufficient oxygen, medications, and battery power, etc. In Connecticut, the Department of Public Health's 'Emergency Preparedness for Special Populations' has prepared a website with information such as, Tips for People with Disabilities and Tips for People Responding to People with Disabilities in a disaster (page 5).
How will I get to safety?
Depending on where you are, at home, work, or in the community - you will need to learn about your options, and plan accordingly. By working with your employer and community officials and learning about resources available in your town, you will be able to map out a variety of strategies to exit away from danger. This is probably the biggest challenge - whether evacuating a two or more story building or arranging transportation to a shelter. Does your workplace have a plan? Does this plan work for you? It may be time to review existing plans and modify one that includes people with disabilities. For example, Mass Office on Disability has been working with the Head of Security of State Buildings to establish policy and procedures, to create a "buddy system" and modify evacuation routes for evacuating state run buildings. Read about their suggestions to ensure safe ways to evacuate state run buildings on page 5. Their suggestions will work for many other facilities, as well.
In the event of a disaster, there will also be local responders in each town and city. Find out who they are and get to know them, in advance. Offer to help them in the planning process for people with disabilities. You do not want to be left behind like Benilda.
During Katrina, Benilda, a New Orleans resident who was quadriplegic and used a motorized wheelchair did have a plan. However, several factors came into play that foiled her plan and left her unable to implement a back up plan - resulting in her death. You can read her story and the lessons learned on page 2.
The bottom line is that people with disabilities have to take the lead in identifying our needs and to network with the people and resources available in our local communities in advance of a disaster. The key for each of us is to take responsibility to prepare, prepare, prepare, then practice, practice, practice. Only then can you increase your chances of survival.
Best wishes, Oce
