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(No author).
(2006).
Continuing Progress: A 1 Year Update on Hurricane Recovery and Rebuilding.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Office of the Secretary.
The paper gives a one-year update on the recovery and rebuilding process in the Gulf Coast Area. The paper discusses the rebuilding of communities including housing needs, discusses repairing and strengthening infrastructure, rebuilding the economy, providing healthcare, as well as still providing immediate relief and rescue. The paper is not specific to people with disabilities, but it does mention how efforts are focusing on finding housing and getting health care for people with disabilities, as well as including them in future emergency planning.
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(No author).
(2006).
Disaster Preparedness: Limitations in federal Evacuations Assistance for Health Facilities Should be Addressed.
Government Accountability Office.
This report outlines findings about evacuating "patients" in nursing homes. GAO found that facilities took steps to ensure that the facilities had needed resources, but had problems with transportation with respect to evacuation. There was some competition w/ transportation companies, though one had been secured beforehand. Some nursing homes were unable to communicate with local emergency managers. Thus, GAO recommends that DHS clearly delineate (1) how the federal government will assist state and local governments with the transportation of patients and residents of hospitals and nursing homes, and (2) how to address the needs of nursing home residents during evacuations.
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(No author).
(2006).
Ready American (Ready.gov) Senior.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Checklist for seniors: create a support network, evaluate what is extremely necessary, collect and combine in an accessible area medications and medical supplies, and emergency documents.
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Mattingly, Diane.
(2006).
As Hurricane Season Begins, Katrina's Lessons Put to Work .
Washington Post.
The first hurricane of the 2006 season will be named Alberto, followed by Beryl and Chris. But any of the assigned hurricane names for this season could become known for devastation and despair, as Katrina did last year. That hurricane, which ravaged the Gulf Coast, has helped shape the way Fairfax County "does" emergency management and preparedness. "Following Katrina, we gave a 21/2-hour state of readiness presentation and report to the Board of Supervisors," said Doug Bass, emergency management coordinator for Fairfax County. Bass said, however, that lessons can be learned from all storms. "We saw a wakeup call with Hurricane Isabel. We lost power and water to a significant portion of Fairfax County for almost 24 hours," he said. That's when officials realized the importance of partnering with organizations such as utilities that provide services to the public. "We have to make sure our emergency plans and procedures support their emergency plans and procedures," Bass said. He said Fairfax County also has realized the importance of emergency planning for those with special needs. "We've started a volunteer registry where people with special needs or caregivers can go and register so that they're on our radar screen," he said. Another important lesson, he said, is the need to make arrangements for pets. "Before Katrina there was this mentality that people would be able to disassociate themselves from their pets," Bass said. "Eighty percent of people surveyed said they wouldn't leave unless their animals were taken care of." Hygiene issues might necessitate sheltering pets in one part of a building and owners in another. "But at least they would know their pets are being cared for," he said. In Bass's 30-year tenure as a public safety administrator and in the 11 hurricanes he's dealt with, he said he has seen people sit in cars with their animals rather than go into shelters because they couldn't take their pets. Another lesson, he said, is communication. Starting July 1, a new county watch center will make sure information is shared with residents and with federal and state agencies. The new WebEOC data-sharing program is funded by grants from the Office of Homeland Security. During the recent Rolling Thunder motorcycle event on the Mall, the data-sharing program allowed jurisdictions to post and share information and see images in real time. In the past, a scramble of phone calls was needed to share information. According to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the 2006 hurricane season is expected to produce 17 named storms, including 14 hurricanes, five of them intense. In addition, the agency predicts a 64 percent probability of at least one major hurricane hitting the East Coast.
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(No author).
(2006).
The Arc of the Gulf Coast gets $25,000 grant.
Sun Herald.
The Arc of the Gulf Coast recently received a $25,000 grant from The Gulf Coast Community Foundation through its Build Back the Coast Fund. The Arc is a nonprofit agency serving citizens of Harrison County with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The grant will be used to provide job skills training and education for adults with disabilities in its Benchwork Industries program.
(Available via licensed database.)
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(No author).
(2006).
2005 Annual Report to the President and Congress.
National Council on Disability.
The NCD submitted its Annual Performance Report to the President and Congress-Fiscal Year 2005 made various recommendations concerning emergency planning for people with disabilities. These suggestions included housing, health care, education, and transportation.
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Reemer, Andrew.
(2006).
Brookings Briefing on the Census.
The Brookings Institute.
Panel notes, discussing the situation after Katrina and how the elderly and disabled people affected.
-
(No author).
(2006).
Catastrophic Hurricane Evacuation Plan Evaluation: A Report to Congress.
U.S. Department of Transportation.
This is a report published in response to Congress's report for the DOT to review and asses its Federal and State evacuation plans, including costs, for catastrophic hurricanes and other events impacting the Gulf Coast region. The report gives the findings of the research and the metholody. The report is very detailed and does discuss persons with special needs.
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Harkins, Judy ; Peltz Strauss, Karen & Vanderheiden, Gregg.
(2006).
Research and Policy Recommendations from the State of the Science Conference on Accessible Emergency Notification and Communication.
U.S. Access Board.
This is a follow-up report after the conference on Accessible Emergency Notification and Communication. The conference, and therefore the report, discussed topics on accessibility tools and gaps, government activities on accessible emergency communications, broadcast media notification, alerting and communication in facilities and campuses, person-to-person communications, relay services, and coping with severe communications infrastructure loss in times of disaster. There is some discussion of disability and working to ensure that people with disabilities are able to receive notification of an emergency.
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(No author).
(2006).
Matrix Suggests Steps for People with Special Needs.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Provides a matrix for steps in emergency preparedness and response for people with disabilities. Makes suggestions about specific kinds of disabilities and what the specific needs might be.
-
(No author).
(2006).
Notice of Change to the National Response Plan.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
A notice of change to the Federal response plan, this document outlines all of the line-by-line changes to the "Topic Areas" of such plan.
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(No author).
(2006).
National Association for the Deaf: Emergency Preparedness.
Center for Disability Issues and the Health Professions.
The web page explains how people who are deaf can receive information about a disaster. The NAD says that new techniques and technology are available that can help people with hearing impairments be better prepared for an emergency.
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(No author).
(2006).
Hurricane Katrina: Policies and Procedures are Needed to Ensure Appropriate Use of and Accountability for International Assistance.
Government Accountability Office.
The report indicated that polices and procedures are needed to ensure appropriate use and accountability of international assistance received during a domestic disaster. The GAO recommends improving policies, procedures, planning, and oversight of international cash and in-kind donations to the US government.
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(No author).
(2006).
FEMA: Ready for 2006 Hurricane Season.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The FEMA approaches the 2006 hurricane season with a renewed sense of commitment, improvement and urgency, building on a solid foundation of experienced professionals and the lessons learned from last year's unprecedented disaster response activities. The 2005 hurricane season tested our nation as never before, and we are committed to increasing our preparedness for catastrophic events and smaller-scale disasters. While states and localities have the lead in emergency response, FEMA will be prepared to coordinate the federal government's supporting role. FEMA also understands the special needs of Gulf Coast states, which will include a need for assistance with evacuation planning, difficulties with manufactured housing, and diminished law enforcement capabilities. FEMA is implementing multiple new measures designed to strengthen essential functions so the agency can more effectively respond to all disasters. These improvements include building a 21st century supply tracking system, enhancing our ability to receive requests for individual assistance, expediting the pace of debris removal, and developing an smarter plan for long-term housing.
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Styron, Hilary.
(2006).
EPI Director Addresses FCC Panel on Impact of Katrina.
National Organization on Disability.
On Tuesday, March 7, 2006, Hilary Styron gave a presentation to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. This meeting was held at the Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. The Panel's meeting included oral presentations regarding: (1) the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the telecommunications and media infrastructure including public safety communications; (2) the sufficiency and effectiveness of the recovery effort with respect to this infrastructure; and (3) ways to improve disaster preparedness, network reliability and communications among first responders such as police, fire fighters and emergency medical personnel. In addition, the Panel's informal working groups provided reports on their progress.
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(No author).
(2006).
Congressman Langevin Introduces New Disability and Emergency Preparedness Bill.
National Organization on Disability.
On February 7, 2006, Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) introduced the Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 2006 in the U.S. House of Representative. The purpose of the proposed Act is to address the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief efforts in the event of a major disaster, and also to increase the accessibility of replacement housing built with Federal funds following major disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.
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(No author).
(2006).
Emergencies and Disasters: Declared Disasters and Assistance: What Government is Doing.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
February 28, 2006 marks the 6-month point since Hurricane Katrina hit landfall. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were two of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded during the Atlantic Hurricane season. The storm had a massive impact on the physical landscape, her people as well as on the region’s economy. Approximately 90,000 square miles were hit by the storm – roughly the size of Great Britain – directly affecting 1.5 million people. Commercial infrastructure was heavily damaged, with ports – of which one-quarter of all U.S. imports and exports pass through – closed after sustaining damage. Airports, railroads, bridges, warehouses, wharves, offshore facilities, roads, schools and hospitals were also closed after getting hit. More than 16,000 federal personnel have been deployed to help state and local officials along the Gulf Coast recover from the damage. Some $88 billion in federal aid has been allocated for relief, recovery and rebuilding, with another $20 billion requested, to help victims of storm and the region recover and rebuild. President Bush continues to follow through with the Federal commitment to “do what it takes” to help residents of the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives in the wake of the disaster. 15,000 HUD-assisted or homeless families are receiving up to 18 months of housing assistance through the Katrina Disaster Housing Assistance Program (KDHAP), administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). More than 6,000 single-family homes within a 500-mile radius of the declared disaster areas have been identified and HUD has either repaired these homes or is currently in the process of repairing them; more than 1,000 families have been able to move back in, with another 800 in process. Once repaired, the remainder of these homes will be offered to evacuees either as temporary housing or for purchase through a discounted sale program. To respond to the human services and mental health needs of individuals affected by the hurricane, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $550 million in Social Service Block Grants. The funding will also provide support to those lacking health insurance or adequate access to care, and to health care safety net providers. Funding was provided in varying amounts to all 50 States, with the majority going to LA (40 percent), MS (23 percent), TX (16 percent), and FL (10 percent). Over 30,000 families are being helped through HHS' Administration on Children and Families (ACF) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF) program by the provision ofshort?term, non-recurrent cash benefits to families who traveled to another State from the disaster designated States The hurricane-damaged States of MS, LA, and AL also received additional funding for the TANF program to provide assistance and work opportunities to needy families ($69 million for loan forgiveness and $25 million in contingency funds for State Welfare Programs). The website only mentions persons with disabilities to the extent that DOL deployed Disability Program Navigators to assist individuals with disabilities who were affected ($5 million), and the Social Security Administration immediately invoked emergency procedures once Katrina hit to locate displaced Social Security, SSI and disability beneficiaries to provide them with a replacement check if they did not receive theirs, in cases of electronic deposit, were unable to access their funds.
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(No author).
(2006).
Legislation Addresses Emergency Preparedness.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
NSCIA Hall of Fame honoree Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat from Iowa has introduced the Emergency Preparedness and Response for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2005.
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(No author).
(2006).
Katrina Disability Information.
Information on Disability for Empowerment, Advocacy, & Support (I.D.E.A.S.).
I.D.E.A.S. (Information on Disability for Empowerment, Advocacy, & Support) has created a webpage, listing resources for people with disabilities who were affected by Hurricane Katrina and their families and friends. The listings include information on n
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(No author).
(2006).
Statement by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff Before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This press release outlines some of the concerns surrounding emergency preparedness and response. It briefly outlines the scope of the Katrina disaster, the shortcomings of the response, the Federal governments responsibilities, state actions, how DHS and FEMA can improve, and problems with communication.
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(No author).
(2006).
A Failure of Initiative: Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.
U.S. Department of Transportation.
This is the final report published by the Select Bipartisan Committee that was created to investigate the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. The research was supposed to look at the development, coordination, and execution by local, State, and Federal authorities of emergency response plans in preparation for Katrina, as well as look at the response to the Hurricane by these same agencies. The report gives an executive summary of the findings and discusses these topics: levees, evacuation, national framework for emergency management, FEMA preparedness, communications, command and control, the military and law enforcement, medical care, shelter and housing, logistics, and charitable organizations. There is mention of people with special needs although the report is not specific to them.
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(No author).
(2006).
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research - Notice of Final Long-Range Plan for Fiscal Years 2005-2009.
U.S. Department of Education.
The paper is about a five-year research plan that has several purposes. First is to set broad general directions to guide NIDRR's (National Insitute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research) policies and resources; two, to have objectives for research; 3, to write a system for operationalizing the Final Plan in terms of annual priorities, etc.; 4, to have new emphasis on the management and administration of the research.
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(No author).
(2006).
Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned.
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism.
The President specifically requested that we review the response to the Federal government to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Report is organized in a manner to give the reader the most comprehensive and clear understanding possible of what happened during the Federal response to Hurricane Katrina.
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Batiste, Linda Carter &Loy, Beth.
(2006).
Employer's Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans.
Job Accommodation Network: Office of Disability Employment Policy (funded by the U.S. Department of Labor).
This site talks about legal requirements and it also discusses the steps to take in making an evacuation plan that includes employees with disabilities. This site discusses ways to work out plans that are intended to assist employees with various "impairments." The site also has a few footnotes.
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(No author).
(2006).
Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Sensory Disabilities.
National Organization on Disability.
Guideline for the Emergency Preparedness for people with sensory disabilities
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(No author).
(2005).
Newsroom: National Council on Disability on Hurricane Katrina Affected Areas.
National Council on Disability.
The National Council on Disability (NCD) believes that people with disabilities will have unique needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina that must be surveyed and responded to immediately. The article gives information and makes recommendations for effective disaster relief and assistance to people with disabilities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Federal government is attempting to address the needs of people with disabilities through FEMA, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Nutrition Service, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, more needs to be done to facilitate a coordinated Federal Disability Recovery Plan for Hurricane Katrina. NCD has offered some recommendations to support the administration’s assistance to those affected by Katrina. The article also summarizes different reports released by the NCD with recommendations to the federal government, leaders and experts within the disability community, media professionals, and relevant officials. Some examples of the action and information dissemination by the disability community are provided.
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(No author).
(2005).
National Council on Disability on Hurricane Katrina Affected Areas.
National Council on Disability.
Outlines the flaws in the federal government's Katrina response; includes recommendation, and subsequent follow-up action after Katrina relief has concluded.
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(No author).
(2005).
Katrina, 10 Ways to Support Disability Related Relief Efforts.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
Gives guidelines to Support Disability Related Relief Efforts
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Wilemon, Tom.
(2005).
FEMA agrees to handicap settlement.
Sun Herald.
Claire Brou may have to use a scooter to get around, but she knows how to stand up for herself. The 78-year-old Ocean Springs woman and 10 other disabled people who lost homes to either Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita filed a class-action lawsuit against FEMA, contending that the federal agency failed to provide them suitable housing. FEMA agreed to a settlement requiring it to provide more handicap-accessible trailers. A judge will decide if the settlement is fair after a Sept. 26 hearing in U.S. District Court in New Orleans. Brou, a retired U.S. Air Force captain, is a well-known citizen in Ocean Springs who regularly attends City Hall meetings and keeps a close tab on her neighborhood. She relies on a scooter because she is paralyzed on her right side. Cary LaCheen, a lawyer with the National Center for Law and Economic Justice who worked on the case, said other disabled people may not have the wherewithal to fight for their rights. "There are a lot of other people out there who are still waiting or have given up waiting or are living in something that isn't accessible because they were told by a contractor when a trailer was delivered 'Take it or leave it.' According to court papers, FEMA during the last week of September 2005 provided Brou with a trailer that had a door too narrow for her scooter to pass through. The agency gave her a second trailer in October, but the door handle on it was on the wrong side for Brou to use because of her paralysis. The inside was too narrow for her to turn her scooter around and it did not have a roll-in shower. She could only access the bed from the foot, and had to call 911 for assistance one night after she fell. Other disabled South Mississippi residents who sued the federal agency were Eugene Joseph Johnson of Bay St. Louis and Terry West of Kiln. Their lawyers contended that FEMA violated the Fair Housing Act, the Architectural Barriers Act and other federal laws. Under terms of the settlement, FEMA denies any liability and maintains that it administered its programs in a lawful manner. However, the agency has agreed to publicize how it will assist disabled individuals with temporary housing, establish a toll-free telephone number for the disabled to call, require that 10 percent of trailers ordered comply with Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, hire a separate contractor to assist handicapped individuals, make sure than 5 percent of trailers in group sites are handicap accessible and appoint a third party to resolve disputes between the agency and handicapped individuals. The Sun Herald will publicize the toll free number once it is available.
(Available via licensed database.)
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(No author).
(2005).
Request for Information about the Experiences of People with Disabilities Affected by Katrina.
National Council on Disability.
Soliciting information from disabled individuals who went through Katrina to submit info to the NCD
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(No author).
(2005).
Letter to Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education, RE: Students with Disabilities Displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
National Disability Rights Network.
This letter requests that the Department of Education make resources available to help students with disabilities who were displaced by Katrina. Approximately 373,000 students were displaced and it is estimated that 10% of these students are students wi
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(No author).
(2005).
National Council on Disability on Katrina Affected Areas.
National Council on Disability.
This gives some numbers on how many disabled individuals there are in Katrina affected cities. For example: "In New Orleans, a city of about 484,000 people, 23.2 percent of residents are people with disabilities." It also lists some triage housing contac
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(No author).
(2005).
National Council on Disability Calls for Federal Disability Recovery Plan in Response to Hurricane Katrina.
National Council on Disability.
Another overview of Saving Lives
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(No author).
(2005).
Letter to the Honorable Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security.
National Council on Disability.
Letter encouraging Dept. of Homeland security to appoint a "point person" to coordinate disability relief; also includes a long-term plan for disability accommodation/relief for the DHS to follow.
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(No author).
(2005).
Checklist for Interaction with Katrina Evacuees Coming to Your State.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
This site provides information for people affected by Hurricane Katrina, including individuals with disability. The site discusses efforts to coordinate the flow of information between states and across the country, and offers many links to government website.
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(No author).
(2005).
NCD Bulletin Sept. 2005.
National Council on Disability.
NCD calls for Katrina Relief action from Homeland Security; CRIPA and Hurricane Relief efforts, and a legislative update related to disability.
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(No author).
(2005).
Handbook on Disability and Special Needs.
West Virginia University: Center on Excellence for Disabilities.
One of the most important roles of local government is to protect their citizens from harm including helping people prepare for and respond to emergencies. Making local government emergency preparedness and response programs accessible to people with disabilities is a critical part of this responsibility. Making these programs accessible is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). If you are responsible for your community's emergency planning or response activities, you should involve people with disabilities in identifying needs and evaluating effective emergency management practices. Issues that have the greatest impact on people with disabilities include: notification, evacuation, emergency transportation, sheltering, access to medical care and medications, access to their mobility devices or service animals while in transit or at shelters and access to information. In planning for emergency services, you should consider the needs of people who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes or crutches, or people who have limited stamina. Plans also need to include people who use oxygen or respirators, people who are blind or who have low vision, people who are hard of hearing, people who have a cognitive disability, people with mental illness and those with other types of disabilities. Although employers are not required to have emergency evacuation plans under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if employers covered by the ADA opt to have such plans they are required to include people with disabilities. Further, employers who do not have emergency evacuation plans may have to address emergency evacuation for employees with disabilities as a reasonable accommodation under Title I of the ADA. In addition, employers in certain industries may have obligations to develop emergency evacuation plans under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) or under state and local law. If you are a person with a disability, know how to reduce the impact of a disaster on yourself. The website reminds people that persons with disabilities are just like everyone else and provides a list of more considerate terms for persons with disabilities Many people with disabilities use "assistive technology" to enable them to use computers and access the Internet. People who cannot see computer monitors may use screen readers - devices that speak the text that would normally appear on a monitor. People who have difficulty using a computer mouse can use voice recognition software to control their computers with verbal commands. People with other types of disabilities may use still other kinds of assistive technology. Poorly designed web sites can create barriers for people with disabilities, just as poorly designed buildings prevent some people from entering them. Designers may not realize how simple features built into a web page will assist someone who, for instance, cannot see a computer monitor or use a mouse. It then names section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (naming 16 specific sections: images, multimedia, color, readability, server-side image maps, client-side image maps, data tables, row and column headers, frames, flicker-rate, text-only, scripts, applets and plug-ins, electronic forms, navigation, and timed response), section 255 of the Communications Act, and the ADA, all of which have requirements for accessibility to persons with disabilities.
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(No author).
(2005).
Nobody Left Behind: Analysis of Local Emergency Management Plans to Determine Whether the Needs of Persons with Mobility Limitations are Being Met.
The Research and Training Center on Independent Living at the University of Kansas.
This document indicates that a three-year research grant was awarded to the University of Kansas funded by the CDC. The project was to request local emergency plans from 30 sites selected for analysis, and to analyze those plans. From the 11 sites that provided investigators with a section of their local emergency management plans for review, only two (or 18%) had comprehensive procedures stated in their plans to address the needs of persons with mobility impairments. The two sites took different approaches in their individual plans. One approach created a separate appendix on persons with disabilities, while the other approach referenced how to address the needs of the persons with disabilities in teh various appropriate sections. Both of these approaches could be considered as emerging best practices for emergency managers to adopt. In addition, the plan should, at a minimum, address the guidelines for ADA pertaining to emergency management as recommended by teh DOJ. It is recommendation that model appendices be developed for the various special needs populations. It is also recommended that federal and state leaders in emergency management encourage at the local level the adoption of separate appendices for the various speical needs populations that are predominate in their individual community settings. This is a major shift in philosophy concerning the content style of emergency management plans. But, it appears to be warranted due to the lack of training many of the emergency managers have in special needs populations, which includes persons with disabilities. This research study found that 73% of the managers had not taken the special needs course offered by FEMA, 80% did not have guidelines in their plans and another 79% are not planning to develop guidelines to address the needs of persons with disabilities. There needs to be systems for identification of persons and residential and medical facilities needing assistance with evacuation, transportation, shelter, or medical needs during a disaster. Ten out of the eleven plans had requirements for one or more identification systems to address specific assistance needs of the elderly, ill, and persons with disabilities.
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(No author).
(2005).
Briefing Paper: Objective Three, Part 1.
Nobody Left Behind, University of Kansas.
A briefing paper that targets leading agencies in developing and implementing policies and procedures for emergency preparedness and response for people with disabilities. The paper includes research findings and questions to address the findings. Further recommendations are included.
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(No author).
(2005).
Annotated Bibliography on Emergency Preparedness and Response For People with Disabilities.
American Association on Health and Disability.
This website gives links to articles on emergency preparedness
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(No author).
(2005).
Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People With Disabilities.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This articles addresses emergency preparedness and response programs for local government. It includes information about transportation, shelter, and providing assistance to disabled individuals during the emergency.
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(No author).
(2005).
Emergency Preparedness Issues for People with Disabilities Will Be Discussed.
American Association on Health and Disability.
Notes about a survey conducted to evaluate whether Americans with disabilities are not well-prepared for emergencies
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(No author).
(2005).
A Record of Accomplishment - 2004.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This website discusses President Bush's program - New Freedom Initiative, which helps ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, make choices about their daily lives and participate fully in community life. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)created an Office of Disability which is responsible for leading the HHS New Freedom Initiative; oversee, coordinate, develop and implement disability programs and initiatives within HHS that impact people with disabilities; ensure that persons with disabilities across the lifespan have a voice within HHS; and heighten the interaction of programs within HHS and with federal, state, community and private sectors. Additionally, it discusses emergency preparedness for people with disability at all levels, including federal, state, tribal, and community levels.
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(No author).
(2005).
Hurricane Katrina.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
This website is a plethora of information about Hurricane Katrina, and has 8 main topics: what HHS is doing; health and safety; how to get help; donate and volunteer; finding friends and information, what other federal agencies are doing; key state government agencies in the region, and federal payments available for hurricane relief/recovery. What HHS is doing: to ensure vital services are available to meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt has extended the public health state of emergency through Jan. 31, 2006. The Secretary’s order applies to states affected by Katrina—LA, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida—as well as those harboring many evacuees: Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. Many evacuated patients have received substantial medical care. Initially, much of the care was related to acute injuries, exposure, and other immediate complications of the hurricane. While care for these conditions is continuing as necessary, many evacuees have lost their usual source of care and ability to pay for it as the evacuation continues. Additionally, health care providers need to be reimbursed for care provided to patients in hurricane-affected areas and evacuee areas. These payments are necessary to facilitate their ongoing operations and to compensate them for additional costs and unanticipated utilization of services. It lists the Waiver Under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act, provides information to recipients of government assistance (does not specifically name those receiving disability benefits), lists press releases, and provides an extensive fact sheet on travel, but does not include travel for persons with disabilities. Health and Safety: articles about Disasters & Emergencies: Hurricanes (Health and Human Services); Hurricanes: Health & Safety (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Environmental Concerns After Hurricane Katrina (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Environmental Health Needs and Habitability Assessment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Environmental Protection Agency); Keep Food and Water Safe (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Protect Yourself from Animal and Insect Hazards (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Clean Up Safely After a Hurricane (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Mental Health Resources (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Hurricane Information for Response and Cleanup Workers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Vaccination/Immunization Information (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Hurricane-Related Information for Health Care Professionals (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Hurricane Katrina Information for Evacuation Centers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Prevent Illness after a Hurricane (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Prevent Injury after a Hurricane (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Hurricane Katrina: Special Messages for Schools (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention); Safe Drug Use after a Natural Disaster (Food and Drug Administration); Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products by Victims of Hurricane Katrina (Food and Drug Administration); Impact of Severe Weather Conditions on Biological Products (Food and Drug Administration); Information About Medical Devices and Disasters (Food and Drug Administration); Prescription Drug Records for Evacuees (KatrinaHealth.org, a Public-Private Coalition, including Health and Human Services); Hurricane Mental Health Awareness Campaign (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); Crisis Counseling Hotline (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); Coping with Hurricane Katrina and Rita (National Institutes of Health); Coping with Traumatic Events (National Institutes of Health); Care Tips for Survivors of a Traumatic Event: What to Expect in Your Personal, Family, Work, and Financial Life (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); Tips for Talking to Children After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents and Teachers (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); Helping Children Cope with Crisis: A Guide for African American Parents (National Institutes of Health); Health Services Telephone Hot Lines; Hurricane Relief & Recovery: Status of Federally funded Health Centers in the Affected Areas (Health Resources and Services Administration); Mental Health Services Locator (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration); Information for Patients or Participants in Clinical Studies (National Institutes of Health). How to get help: there are several articles about health and social assistance: Assistance for Katrina Survivors with Disabilities or Special Needs; Children's Services; Education; Financial Assistance (disability benefits, food stamps, and other financial assistance programs--just takes you to the SSA page to apply); Health Benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance); Health Services; and Unemployment. Donate and Volunteer: HHS and USA Freedom Corps website links. Finding Friends and Information: link to firstgov.com, which coordinates information for evacuees for all federal agencies. What other federal agencies are doing: links to DHS and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Key state agencies in the region: links to Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LA, and Mississippi state agencies.
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(No author).
(2005).
DHS Organization; Department Structure; Office for Hurricane Katrina Oversight; PCIE and ECIE - Oversight of Gulf Coast Hurricane Recovery, A 90-Day Progress Report to Congress, December 30, 2005.
President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency.
The 141-page document reports on investigations ensuring that federal response and recovery funds are spent appropriately, those attempting to defraud the government are brought to justice, and those responsible for the relief efforts are wise stewards i
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(No author).
(2005).
Hurricane Katrina Impacts.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
The Center for Independent Living in Biloxi, Mississippi was destroyed and other facilities were severely damaged. One early challenge has been to locate people with disabilities and determine their needs. Many need medication, medical equipment or supplies.
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(No author).
(2005).
Real Stories, Real Loss.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association.
Examples of the actual experiences of people with spinal cord injury impacted by the Gulf Coast storms. Their stories are sadly typical, and our hope is that their experiences will not be entirely in vain, but help with the effort to establish effective emergency preparedness and disaster relief policies and systems. These stories can and should have been about needs being met, rather than lives being compromised.
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(No author).
(2005).
Quarterly Meeting Notes.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.
The paper is a recap of a quarterly meeting of the Interagency Coordination Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The meeting included a presentation on the impact of the hurricanes on people with disabilities in the Gulf Coast area, and the actions that ICC was taking to provide relief. There were also updates from the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Federal Communications, and Homeland Security. There was also a section of Question and Answer.
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(No author).
(2005).
FAQ: Hurricane Katrina Frequently Asked Questions.
MS Department of Education.
FAQ website provides answers to questions of Mississippians who are recovering from the Hurricane and want to get specific services. It also provides contact information after the answer for each question.
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(No author).
(2005).
Hurricane Katrina: Its Impact on People with Disabilities.
National Organization on Disability.
The National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) has collected and listed articles that focus on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on people with disabilities. The articles provide information on disability concerns in the affected areas, news reports and
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Wiley, Richard E. Harold, Rosemary C.
(2005).
Communications Law: On the Brink of Change.
Communications Law.
Practising Law Institute.
Pp. 163.
The article discusses changes in communications law and communication requirements for emergency situations. There is specific mention, brief, of making sure that people with disabilities are able to be notified of an emergency.
(Available via licensed database.)
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(No author).
(2005).
Emergency Management and People with Disabilities: Before, During and After.
National Council on Disability.
NCD Congressional Briefing on what needs currently to be done for individuals with disabilities during emergencies, what is being done now, and what needs to be done in the future.
-
(No author).
(2005).
EPI Press Conference regarding report on SNAKE teams' assessment of Katrina response and rescue efforts.
National Organization on Disability.
This transcript includes the briefings given by Secretary John Hager (Education Rehabilitation Services at the Department of Education) and Hilary Styron (Head of the Emergency Preparedness Initiative) during the EPI Press Conference. Secretary Hager gav
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(No author).
(2005).
Fact Sheet on Additional Hurricane Support for Children and Adults with Disabilities.
U.S. Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.
This article briefly describes how OSERS is assisting people with disabilities affected by the Hurricanes, by providing funding assistance to agencies well placed to help these people. The office is providing more than $2 million to CILs to be used for r
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Bradshaw, Jim.
(2005).
Hurricane Victims with Disabilities Receive Assistance through Department of Educaiton.
U.S. Department of Education.
The web page is a notice announcing that President Bush has signed a law granting the U.S. Education Department authorer to permit states in the Gulf Coast area a large sum of money for vocation rehabilitation services for people with disabilities. The VR services could include education, training, technology and other services that would be necessary for employment.
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(No author).
(2005).
Emergency Evacuation of People with Physical Disabilities from Buildings: 2004 Conference Proceedings.
U.S. Department of Education.
A two-day conference on Emergency Evacuation of People with Physical Disabilities was held Oct. 13-14, 2004. The conference provided a forum to discuss: the impact of building and life safety codes on the evacuation of people with physical disabilities from buildings; the current evacuation procedures for people with physcial disabilities from the first responder perspective; the experiences of people with physical disabilities during emergency evacuations from buildings; the design and development of different types of evacuation devices; and the current state of research on mobility equipment, human factors, and egress modeling. There were keynote speakers and panel discussions on building and life safety codes; current practices of emergency management and first responders toward evacuation of persons with physical disabilities; current state of evacuation devices. There was a user perspective and demonstrations of state-of-the-art research.
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(No author).
(1905).
Preparing for the Unthinkable: Managers, Terrorism and the HRM Function.
Vol. 34,
Issue 2.
This article discusses the renewed interest in emergency planning in both the private and public sectors as a result of the September 11 attacks.
(Available via licensed database.)
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Basler, Barbara.
(1905).
Defensive Strategies.
Hoboken, NJ, US; John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Vol. 46,
Issue 10.
Pp. 16-18.
Discusses the readiness of communities to provide for their special-needs residents during disasters. Most communities have not considered the issue of how to evacuate people with special needs, let alone made specific plans, but watching the response in New Orleans, LA, to Hurricane Katrina may change that. Congressional hearings probing the botched evacuation of the city are already under way. However, disaster managers say what happened in New Orleans could have happened in other cities and towns. With its large older population and its vulnerability to hurricanes, Florida is one of the few states to have developed a comprehensive program. Linn County, Iowa, developed its own special-needs plan, without any help from the state, and has been cited as a model by federal emergency officals and by the National Association of Counties. A sidebar presents an interview with Representative Peter King, R-NY, head of the House Homeland Security Committee.
(Available via licensed database.)
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Polatin, Peter B.; Young, Mark; Mayer, Maile; Gatchel, Robert.
(1905).
Bioterrorism, stress, and pain: The importance of an anticipatory community preparedness intervention.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
Elsevier Science.
Vol. 58,
Issue 4.
Pp. 311-316.
This article reviews the accumulating scientific evidence demonstrating the negative impact caused by a cataclysmic event, such as bioterrorism, on the mental health of a community. Moreover, the potential mental health problems created by the continuing threat of possible future events are discussed. This close link among disaster events, stress, pain, and psychopathology is presented from a biopsychosocial perspective. Although there are now efforts being systematically developed to prepare for possible future biological or chemical terrorism events, there is currently also a critical need for early mental health intervention in response to future attacks to decrease psychiatric sequelae, especially workforce illness and morbidity. In this article, examples of such emergency bioterrorism preparedness, incorporating a major focus on mental health issues, are reviewed. Although these are now recognized needs, there is still not a concerted effort to prepare the population for the mental health sequelae that would be produced by such events.
(Available via licensed database.)
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Neal,W.; Kieffer,S.
(1905).
Preparing pediatric home care patients for a medical emergency.
Caring.
Unknown Publisher.
Vol. 17,
Issue 5.
Pp. 48-50.
Discusses the necessity that the families and providers for children with special health care needs living at home be prepared for possible medical emergencies. It is recommended that parents, physicians, and emergency medical services personnel work as a team in this endeavor.
(Available via licensed database.)
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(No author).
(1900).
Resources on Emergency Evacuation and Disaster Preparedness.
U.S. Access Board.
ADA Design Requirements for Accessible Egress: Resources on Evacuation Planning and Assistive Products; and Resources on Disaster Preparedness.
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(No author).
(1900).
Report on Special Needs Assessment for Katrina Evacuees (SNAKE) project.
National Organization on Disability.
This report describes the operations, findings, and recommendations of the SNAKE project initiated by N.O.D. The main purpose of this project was to capture time-sensitive data to highlight the impact of Katrina on the special needs population, through direct observation and sampling of experiences. The findings focus on the preparedness of, and problems faced by people with disabilities during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Their observations reveal that the government experienced systemic failures at all levels in their efforts to respond to the needs of the disability and aging populations. The report highlights the major issues involved, and gives recommendations for future planning. The recommendations include seeking out and utilizing the expertise of the disability community, and people with disabilities increasing their familiarity with the emergency protocol. It is hoped that the report will be helpful in addressing immediate challenges and immediate actionable corrections, and will support the review and implementation of corrective actions and new protocols.
-
(No author).
(1900).
Katrina Aid Today Fact Sheet.
National Disability Rights Network.
The document provides the mission for the National Disability Rights Network and gives contact information for active NDRN members.
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(No author).
(1900).
Emergency Preparedness.
U.S. Department of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy.
DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with quick and easy access to the information they need. With just a few clicks, the site provides access to disability-related information and programs available across the government on numerous subjects, including benefits, civil rights, community life, education, employment, housing, health, technology and transportation.
-
(No author).
(1900).
Disaster Mobilization Initiative: Response to September 11th.
National Organization on Disability.
In order to effectively understand and incorporate the needs and resources of people with disabilities in emergency planning, it is important to define what could be expected from them, their organizations, mayors and city managers, government at all lev
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Benison, John.
(1900).
Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.
U.S. Department of Transportation.
This article talks about meeting the transportation needs of persons with disabilities, particularly in the event of an emergency. It explains that the website contains information on preparedness, accessibility, and evacuation methods.
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Blanck, Peter David.
(1900).
Disaster Mitigation for Persons with Disabilities: Fostering a New Dialogue; A report of The Annenberg Washington Program in collaboration with The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
The Annenberg Washington Program.
This collaborative report is meant to stimulate discussion of the issues and search for answers to problems. Although it is based on discussions with many people, it calls for much broader dialogue and research to address issues at the nexus of communications policy and disaster relief for persons with disabilities. Advance preparation is key to helping persons with disabilities survive a disaster.Leaders and experts within the disability community, members of relief organizations, media professionals, and local, state, and federal officials must establish a cooperative relationship to address this shortcoming. The challenges ahead will be overcome only by an ongoing dialogue among these and other groups. Seven key principles should guide this dialogue: (1) accessible disaster facilities and services; (2) accessible communications and assistance; (3) accessible adn reliable rescue communications; (4) partnerships with the media; (5) partnerships with the disability community; (6) disaster preparation, education, and training; and (7) universal design adn implementation strategies. These seven points reflect an emerging consensus about how best to respond to the needs of people with disabilities before, during, and after a disaster.
