Medical Emergency Cards & Info Sheets
Medical emergency cards help first responders and emergency staff understand your disability and medical needs quickly when you can’t communicate.
This page covers:
- Why emergency cards matter for disabled people
- What to include
- How to make one
- Template versions
- Keeping them accessible
- Digital options
WHY EMERGENCY CARDS MATTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Section titled “WHY EMERGENCY CARDS MATTER FOR DISABLED PEOPLE”During medical emergency, you might:
- Be unconscious or unable to speak
- Be in severe pain
- Be in crisis
- Not have your caregiver with you
- Not be able to explain your needs
Emergency cards help by:
- Telling providers your key medical info
- Explaining your disability
- Listing your medications
- Providing emergency contacts
- Giving critical instructions
- Preventing dangerous errors
- Ensuring correct treatment
First responders and ER staff rely on this information.
WHY THIS MATTERS EXTRA FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Section titled “WHY THIS MATTERS EXTRA FOR DISABLED PEOPLE”Non-disabled people: “I’m having chest pain”
Disabled people with fibromyalgia: “I’m having severe pain, I have fibromyalgia, my normal pain level is 6/10, this is 9/10”
Without the card, providers might:
- Miss your disability
- Make wrong treatment decisions
- Not know your pain baseline
- Not use proper communication methods
- Deny you necessary accommodations
- Make your situation worse
Your emergency card prevents this.
WHAT TO INCLUDE ON EMERGENCY CARD
Section titled “WHAT TO INCLUDE ON EMERGENCY CARD”Essential Information (Must Include)
Section titled “Essential Information (Must Include)”Name:
- First and last name
- Nicknames if you go by them
Medical conditions:
- Disabilities
- Chronic conditions
- Allergies
- Mental health conditions (if relevant to emergency care)
Medications:
- All current medications
- Dosages
- Frequency
- Any dose you took today
Allergies:
- Medication allergies
- Food allergies (relevant to IV fluids, etc.)
- Environmental allergies affecting emergency care
Emergency contacts:
- Name and phone number
- Relationship (family, caregiver, friend)
- 2-3 contacts if possible
Doctor/Medical provider:
- Name
- Specialty
- Phone number
Insurance:
- Provider name
- Policy number (if you have it)
Important Additional Information
Section titled “Important Additional Information”Disabilities affecting communication/care:
- “I am Deaf, use ASL interpreter”
- “I am blind, need verbal explanations”
- “I have autism, avoid loud noises and sudden touch”
- “I have anxiety, need calm clear communication”
- “I cannot speak, use AAC device or write”
Accessibility needs:
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Service animal with me
- Mobility aids I use
- Positioning requirements
- Physical limitations
Special instructions:
- “Do NOT remove hearing aids”
- “Use sliding scale insulin calculation”
- “Avoid certain pain medications (previous bad reaction)”
- “I need my medication at X times”
- “Speak to my designated decision-maker, not me”
Disability-specific medical info:
- “I have frequent falls due to cerebral palsy, this is normal”
- “I have chronic pain, pain meds are necessary”
- “My blood pressure is naturally low, 90/60 is normal for me”
- “I have sensory sensitivities, minimize lights/noise”
WHEN TO USE EMERGENCY CARDS
Section titled “WHEN TO USE EMERGENCY CARDS”Keep one with you:
- Wallet or purse
- Backpack/bag you carry
- On keychain
- In car
- At work
When would it be used?
- Traffic accident
- Sudden medical emergency
- Fall/injury
- Mental health crisis (ER admission)
- Any time you need emergency medical care
Make multiple copies to distribute to:
- Carry with you (wallet)
- Home (visible)
- Work (with supervisor)
- Doctor’s office (give to them)
- Family/caregiver (keep one)
- Partner/spouse (keep one)
HOW TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY CARD
Section titled “HOW TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY CARD”Option 1: DIY Card
Section titled “Option 1: DIY Card”What you need:
- Blank index cards (3”x5” or wallet-size)
- Pen or printer
- Laminating sheets (optional but recommended)
How to make:
- Write or print your information on front of card
- Keep it brief - emergency responders won’t read long text
- Use large, clear font
- Keep layout simple (easy to scan quickly)
- Laminate if you want it waterproof
Sample layout:
Contribute to This Page
Section titled “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.
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.