¶ 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.