Disaster Links

ADA Compliance Communications

• ADA Effective CommunicationAmericans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, published January 31, 2014People who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities use different ways to communicate. The ADA requires that title II entities and title III entities communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities.
• Chapter 3 – General Effective Communication RequirementsAmericans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, published February 27, 2007Information to for all state and local governments to take steps to ensure that their communications with people with disabilities are as effective as communications with others, referred to as “effective communication.”
• Chapter 4 – 9-1-1 Emergency Communications ServicesAmericans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, published February 27, 2007Information to learn the basics on what the ADA requires for 9-1-1 and other emergency communications services operated by or for state or local governments.
• Section 1557 – Ensuring Effective CommunicationU.S. Department of Health & Human Services, updated August 25, 2016Section 1557 is the civil rights provision of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 that prohibits discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities.

Assistance and Service Animals

• ADA Requirements – Service AnimalsAmericans with Disabilities Act, U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, updated February 24, 2020This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in ADA regulations.
• Rights to Assistance Animals in Housing (DRC Fact Sheet)Disability Rights America, published January 28, 2020Fact sheet on the discussion of the rights of people with disabilities to keep assistance animals in housing that does not allow pets.
• Service Animals in Business and Public Spaces (DRC Fact Sheet)Disability Rights America, published April 12, 2018Fact sheet on the discussion of the rights of people with disabilities to have service animals in public entities.

Videos

• American Red Cross Disaster Preparedness for People with DisabilitiesYouTube, American Red Cross, published May 17, 2013This video shows how AFN individuals should prepare for a disaster.

• Emergency Preparedness for Bioterror in ASLYoutube.com, Texas Department of State Health Services, published July 20, 2017Short YouTube video that explains bioterrorism, how to prepare for it, and what to do during a bioterror event in ASL, with English subtitles and with voiceover.
• Emergency Preparedness for Floods in ASLYoutube.com, Texas Department of State Health Services, published July 20, 2017Short YouTube video that explains floods, how to prepare for them, and what to do during one in ASL, with English subtitles and with voiceover.

• Emergency Preparedness for Hurricanes in ASLYoutube.com, Texas Department of State Health Services, published July 20, 2017Short YouTube video that explains hurricanes, how to prepare for them, and what to do during one in ASL, with English subtitles and with voiceover.
• Emergency Preparedness for Tornados in ASLYoutube.com, Texas Department of State Health Services, published July 20, 2017Short YouTube video that explains tornados, how to prepare for them, and what to do during one in ASL, with English subtitles and with voiceover.
• Emergency Preparedness for Wildfires in ASLYoutube.com, Texas Department of State Health Services, published July 20, 2017Short YouTube video that explains wildfires, how to prepare for them, and what to do during one in ASL, with English subtitles and with voiceover.
• Prepare a Family Emergency Plan – DisastersYoutube.com, Sikana, published May 12, 2016Short tutorial video on learning how to prepare a family emergency plan for a major disaster.
• Preparing Makes Sense for Older AmericansYouTube, Federal Emergency Management Agency, published May 6, 2013This is an ASL interpreted video about disaster planning for elderly Americans.

• Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Other Access and Functional NeedsYouTube, Federal Emergency Management Agency, published July 2, 2013Instructional video with ASL interpretation with tips on individual emergency preparedness for individuals with access and functional needs.
• Preparing for the Unexpected – Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with DisabilitiesYouTube, Governors Committee on People with Disabilities, published October 1, 2018FEMA video webinar on preparing for disaster situations with the disabled population in mind.
• Safety videos in American Sign LanguageYoutube.com, National Fire Protection Association, revised November 2, 2015A series of 5 videos in ASL covering topics related to fire safety: electrical safety, heating safety, smoking safety, cooking safety, and home escape planning.
• Voices of the Disabled – Emergency PreparednessYouTube, NYC Emergency Management, published November 20, 2020This is an ASL interpreted panel discussion of AFN individuals and how they prepare for an emergency.
• We Prepare Every Day – VideosYoutube.com, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency, published July 22, 2015This video brought to you by the Ready Campaign and Ad Council showing people with disabilities taking charge to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies.

You can find additional American Sign Language preparedness videos with tips for specific natural and man-made disasters at the following links:

• Earthquakes
• Flooding
• Heat Related Safety
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes/Thunderstorms
• Terrorism
• Winter Storms

Other Resources

• Disability and Health Emergency Preparedness Tools and ResourcesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, reviewed Sept 15, 2020CDC landing page with links to resources that educate people with disabilities and their caregivers, emergency planners, first responders, and other community members on how to include people with disabilities in emergency plans.
• Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Mobility Disabilities – Prepare YourselfNational Organization on Disability, revised 2018Brochure with tips about how to prepare for emergency situations for individuals with mobility disabilities. Includes tips for preparedness, evacuation, and sheltering.
• Emergency Preparedness for Children with Access and Functional NeedsChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles, revised January 2021Webpage with links to sub-topics related to emergency preparedness for cildren with access and functional needs; sub-topics link to several documents.
• Emergency Preparedness for Children with Access and Functional NeedsChildren’s Hospital Los Angeles, revised January 2021Webpage with links to sub-topics related to emergency preparedness for children with access and functional needs; sub-topics link to several documents.
• Effective Communications for People with Disabilities – Before, During, and After EmergenciesNational Council on Disability, published May 27, 2014Report that identifies barriers, facilitators, and best practices to effective emergency-related communication with people with disabilities and provides recommendations for policy makers, federal partners, and emergency managers.
• Accessible Emergency InformationNorthEast Texas Public Health District, published December, 4, 200918 informational videos for emergency preparedness that are created for members of the AFN community.

Braile Documents

General emergency preparedness documents are also available in the following braille formats:

• BRL
• BFM
• ABT
• BML

Communications Board Printables

• Standard
• Hospital Style
• Show Me Communication Tool for Emergency Shelters

Educational Materials

• Educational Materials for People with DisabilitiesNational Fire Protection Association, revised June 2016Webpage with links to several webpages and documents related to fire safety for people with disabilities, as well as resources for emergency planners and public educators.

Communication

• Google TranslateGoogle Play, Google LLC, updated January 28, 2021Translation app that supports offline translation of English and 59 other languages. (Online features includes more languages supported and general features.)
• Picture Card Maker PLUS (update to say Visuals2Go)Apple App Store, Bo Innovations, updated December 24, 2020Educational app created to support individuals with communication and learning difficulties.
• Sprint IP – Free communication app for people who have hearing and speech difficultiesSprint Mobile, updated 2021App allows people to place relay calls and communicate using text.
• ntouch – App for deaf individuals to communicate more easily with people who don’t know sign languageSorenson Communications, Inc., updated 2021App for deaf individuals to communicate more easily with people who do not have sign language knowledge.

Personal Preparedness

• American Red Cross Informative appsAmerican Red Cross, updated 2021Webpage listing many preparedness-related apps from the ARC, including an app specifically for kids aged 7-11.
• FEMA MobileFederal Emergency Management Agency, updated November 2, 2020One-stop shop app for emergency preparedness which includes emergency alerts, preparedness tips, and disaster resources.
• Help Kids CopeGoogle Play, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, updated February 12, 2020An app designed to assist parents in talking to their children about different disasters they may experience or have already experienced.

Preparedness Tools

• Go Bag

If you need to leave your home, be ready to go as quickly as possible. Having a Go Bag in an accessible place ensures that you and your family are prepared for whatever situation arises.  

• Emergency Communication Plan (PDF)
• Prepare for Emergencies Now, Information for People With Disabilities (PDF)
• Transit Commuter Emergency Communication Plan (PDF)
• We Prepare Everyday (Video)
• Be Informed (Video)
• Make A Plan (Video)
• Build A Kit (Video)
• Personal Supp;ort Network (Video)
• I use a Wheelchair (Video)
• I am Hard of Hearing (Video)
• I am Blind (Video)

Get Two Weeks Ready

• 2 Weeks Ready – Backpack Brochure (PDF)
  • Print Ready Version of Backpack Brochure (PDF)
• 2 Weeks Ready – Emergency Information (PDF)
  • Print ReadyVersion of Emergency Info card (PDF)
• How does Drop, Cover, Hold on work? (Infographic) (PDF)
• Disasters Happen Poster (PDF)

Government Disaster Relief Resources:

• American Red Cross – Find help in your area. Find an open shelter, search the safe and well listings, and read disaster recovery guides.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
• Find a Disaster Recovery Center Near You – A Disaster Recovery Center is a readily accessible facility or mobile office where applicants may go for information about FEMA or other disaster assistance programs, or for questions related to your case.
• Contact Your Local Emergency Information Management Office – Some local emergency management offices maintain registers of people with disabilities so you can be located and assisted quickly in a disaster. Contact your local emergency management agency to see if these services exist where you live or visit ready.gov to find links to government offices in your area.