INDIVIDUAL PREPAREDNESS
• Assemble a supply kit : CONSIDER MARKING SUPPLIES
WITH LARGE PRINT, FLOURESCENT TAPE, OR BRAILLE
• Have emergency numbers and important documents together.
Be sure your emergency numbers are in a format that you can
access in an emergency
• Create a network of friends, neighbors and family to contact
during an emergency
• Have your portable assistive devices (e.g. magnifiers, assistive
listening devices, communication devices) together to take with
you. Be very clear that these items are assistive devices and
not just “baggage.”
• If you use a laptop computer or notetaker to facilitate
communication, you may want to clarify this in writing. This
information can be shown to a shelter manager to prevent any
problems with space restrictions. For example: “I need my
(name of device). It will enable me to write down information to
be able to refer back to. This is equivalent to a pen and paper
for me.” Or “I am deaf-blind and I use (name of device) to
facilitate communication
• Be sure you have a cane to navigate during an emergency
situation as there may be obstacles and barriers not normally
there to negotiate.
• If you have a service animal, make sure you have food, water,
bedding, an extra harness in case yours becomes damaged,
and appropriate identification for your animal.
EVACUATION
• BECOME FAMILIAR WITH ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION
AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
AND WORK AREA
• KNOW THE LOCATIONS OF EMERGENY EXITS in the
buildings where you are such as work and home
• CREATE AND IMPLEMENT A BUDDY SYSTEM – Identify a
reliable designated driver for home, school and work in case
you need a ride in the event of an emergency
• PRACTICE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANS
• Have a means of writing and taking down information to
assist you with communication in the event of an
emergency. Have paper, pens and markers, or slate and
stylus in your possession in addition to assistive technology and
back-up power supplies for your technology. Example: if you
are an individual who is deaf/blind, have index cards with preprinted phrases that you will need to use when communicating
with first responders.
SHELTER
• Contact your local Emergency Management Office to determine
the location of local shelters near you
• Identify optional modes of transportation to reach the shelter –
have the number of your local fire and police departments in
case public transportation or your back-ups cannot reach you
• Have your personal emergency bag packed and ready
• Request that you be physically oriented to shelter upon your
arrival
• Consider requesting a location at the shelter that is close to the
rest rooms
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE…
• Help prepare yourself by contacting your local Red Cross for
information and classes. In an emergency, you may need to
provide first aid or other assistance
• Encourage your community to disseminate information through
creative alternatives, such as radio reading services.
• Demand pre-event emergency planning information in
accessible formats at the same time printed materials become
available.
• Know specific vulnerabilities for your community such as
tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.
• Talk to your local emergency management office about your
individual needs and learn about their planning efforts to meet
unique needs.