Emergencies can happen fast: wildfires, floods, earthquakes, power outages, or other unexpected events. For people with disabilities, these situations can be even more challenging. We saw this during Hurricane Katrina, where many people with disabilities were disproportionately affected because there wasn’t enough planning or support in place. That’s why it’s so important to have a plan.
If you or someone you care about has a physical, medical, sensory, or cognitive disability, the best thing you can do is prepare ahead of time. Emergencies don’t wait, and they often strike without warning. You might be at home, at school, at work, or on the go. Will you be able to reach your loved ones? Will they know you’re safe? What happens if services like power, gas, water, or phones go down?
While first responders will be there as quickly as they can, they can’t be everywhere at once. The truth is: You know your needs best, and that makes you the most important person when it comes to your own emergency planning. With the right steps, and the right support, you can protect yourself and the people you care for.
Start by Creating a Personal Support Network
A personal support network is a group of trusted people who can help you prepare and respond during an emergency. These can be friends, neighbors, family members, coworkers, or care providers. Try to build a team at each place you spend a lot of time: your home, your job, your school, or your volunteer site.
Each person in your support network should know what kind of help you may need in an emergency, whether that’s physical assistance, communication help, or managing medical equipment like oxygen or mobility aids. Don’t rely on just one person; people may be unavailable when disaster strikes. Plan to have at least three people in your network for each key location.
Share your emergency plans with them. Let them know where your emergency supplies are stored. Show them how to use your equipment if needed. Practice your emergency plan together so everyone knows what to do if evacuation becomes necessary.
Also, have a backup way to stay in contact: text, call, or email an agreed-upon contact. Plan ahead, and you’ll be more confident and more protected when it matters most.
