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Self-Study Modules: Inclusive Emergency Planning for Emergency Planners

These self-study training modules will introduce and connect you to available resources and inclusive strategies for integrating the access and functional needs of all individuals, including those with disabilities, into emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning. Supported by a grant from the Developmental Disabilities Council.
Go to the inclusive planning modules

Disability Topics: Disability Etiquette

Four disability specific etiquette webinars. Supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Recorded in 2018.

• Disability Topics: Sensory Disabilities Webinar
• Disability Topics: Cognitive and Intellectual Disabilities Webinar
• Disability Topics: Aging Webinar
• Disability Topics: Physical Disabilities Webinar

Autism and First Responders: Seeing Beyond the Smoke

Runtime: 15:46. Captioned.

Video: Effective Communication for People with Disabilities in Emergency Situations

Webinar educates preparedness managers and related personnel on effective communication with people with disabilities and/or access and functional needs. The material is intended to increase awareness of effective communication strategies for persons with disabilities or access and functional needs and increase knowledge of various assistive technology devices and apps. Supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Recorded in 2018.
Watch Effective Communication for People with Disabilities in Emergency Situations

Emergency Preparedness Survey: Pennsylvanians with Disabilities and Access and Functional Needs (2016)

The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education, developed an online survey of emergency preparedness specifically designed for Pennsylvanians who have disabilities and other access and functional needs in order to inform emergency planning in the Commonwealth. The survey identifies key findings, including that the majority of respondents had not informed local authorities of their disability or access and functional needs. The report includes recommendations for training specifically for emergency shelter staff and responders, strategies to promote personal preparedness, and inclusive emergency planning for the whole community. Funded by the PA Department of Health.

Download Access and Functional Needs Survey, Word document

Emergency Communication Aids

The Institute on Disabilities offers to the public communication aids to be used during an emergency by people with communication disabilities and by people who do not speak English. Designed for people with disabilities as well as emergency shelter workers and first responders.
Emergency Communication 4 ALL Aids - more information/downloads

Effective Communications for People with Disabilities: Before, During, and After Emergencies

A report by the National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal agency, examines the accessibility of communication before, during, and after emergencies for people with sensory disabilities (deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low-vision, deaf-blind, and speech disabilities) as well as people with intellectual, developmental, and/or psychiatric disabilities. In the report, NCD documented successful practices and barriers to effective emergency communications. The study was conducted "to help emergency planners and state and local officials provide effective communication to people with disabilities before, during, and after emergencies." Published 2014.
Access the effective communications report

Report: Whole Community Emergency Management Planning in Pennsylvania

Consideration of the needs of people with disabilities (and their families) in the context of disaster/emergency planning is a relatively recent development in emergency management. Planning for citizens "with functional needs" who may require special accommodations now routinely includes service providers and agencies with responsibility for people with disabilities. However, individuals with disabilities and their families themselves are far less frequently to be included. This initiative considers people with disabilities as part of the solution in emergency management - not just "part of the problem."

This report, "Whole Community Emergency Management Planning in PA" describes the findings of key informant surveys and a consumer survey, with resulting recommendations for defining and improving inclusive emergency planning in Pennsylvania.

This research is part of work conducted under a grant, Including People with Disabilities in Emergency Management, funded by the PA Developmental Disabilities Council.

Download Report - Whole Community Emergency Management Planning in PA, Word document

Webinar for First Responders: Encountering People with Disabilities in Emergency Situations

Watch a recorded webinar for first responders on how to communicate with people with disabilities presented by Jamie Arasz Prioli, RESNA ATP. Recorded in 2013. Customizable companion document available.
Watch Encountering People with Disabilities in Emergency Situations

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