Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
Emergencies and climate-driven disasters are not experienced equally.
Disabled people are more likely to be:
- Trapped by inaccessible evacuation routes
- Separated from mobility aids, meds, or assistive tech
- Ignored in official planning
- Institutionalized “for safety” and then not released
This page offers planning ideas you can adapt to your realities.
Start with your own risks
Consider:
- What disasters are most likely where you live?
(storms, wildfires, floods, heat waves, earthquakes, conflict)
- What do you rely on daily?
- Power (ventilators, oxygen, refrigeration, charging devices)
- Meds and supplies
- Mobility aids or service animals
- Personal care or support workers
- What systems control your housing, income, or care?
You don’t have to plan for everything at once. Start where the risk feels highest.
Personal plans
Ideas to consider (choose what fits):
- Keep a list (printed + digital) of:
- Medications, dosages, allergies
- Assistive tech and serial numbers
- Emergency contacts who understand your access needs
- Prepare a small “go kit” if evacuation is realistic: meds, chargers, copies of documents, basic hygiene items, sensory supports.
- Identify backup locations where you’d actually be welcome and able to function (friend’s place, community center, etc.).
- Think about communication:
- How will you contact people if cell service is down?
- Do you have low-tech ways to communicate your needs?
Community-level planning
No one should have to face disasters alone. Disabled-led preparedness can include:
- Neighborhood phone trees or group chats
- Agreements about who checks on whom during storms or heat waves
- Shared charging / power solutions where possible
- Mapping which homes have steps, elevators, generators, or accessible bathrooms
- Connecting with local disability organizations, mutual aid groups, or emergency planners
See also the Get Involved and Professionals – Emergency Planners pages for advocacy ideas.
Interacting with official systems
Emergency shelters and response systems often:
- Lack ramps, quiet spaces, or accessible bathrooms
- Separate people from their support networks or service animals
- Default to institutionalization
If you can, find out in advance:
- Where shelters are and whether they claim to be accessible
- Whether your area has functional needs registries (and whether they are actually used)
- Which agencies or offices are responsible for disability access in emergencies
Document accessibility failures when it’s safe to do so. They are policy problems, not individual misfortunes.
Contribute to This Page
Have lived experience or expertise that could strengthen this page? We especially welcome perspectives on models not well represented here, including those from the Global South and Indigenous communities.
Suggest an edit or addition →
This page centers disabled people’s expertise and is informed by disabled-led organizing globally. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.
Last updated: January 2026