Natural disasters, unforeseen accidents, or sudden disruptions can strike at any moment, leaving us vulnerable in an emergency. An emergency kit becomes a lifeline during critical moments, providing vital supplies and resources that can make a crucial difference between being safe or putting yourself at risk. In honor of National Preparedness Month, the Ability Tools…
Phone related tips and tricks Enable battery saver when you are not actively using your phone. Turning off your phone is a great way to save battery, but this could be dangerous if you need to be contacted. If you are with multiple people, you might manage battery life by only having one phone on…
The Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR) program works with Independent Living Centers (ILCs) throughout California to help provide community-based education, awareness, preparation, and resources for all types of emergencies. In honor of National Preparedness Month, we recently reached out to the Disability Action Center (DAC), a Northern California-based Disability Disaster Access and Resources Center…
Times are uncertain across the world, but Californians in particular are managing a whole host of emergency situations in tandem with one another. As we all find ourselves grappling with the global pandemic and all of its fallout, some are seeking refuge from wildfires and some are contending with Public Safety Power Shut-offs (PSPS’s) or…
Hey! Did you know June is National Safety Month? Safety and disability can go hand-in-hand, and assistive technology can help. From special locks, alarms and environmental adaptations, here are some examples on how people with disabilities can keep themselves and their families safe. Locks Wireless Remote Controlled Door Locks For those with limited dexterity, fine…
Written by: Robin Wearley, PA-C. MSc Emergencies happen. Having a plan during an evacuation is key for survival. Every second counts. Airlines currently have no good plan for evacuating passengers who use wheelchairs. As a flight attendant it has always concerned me when a wheelchair traveler was brought onboard the airplane on an aisle chair.…
Reprint from Assitive Technology Blog September is National Emergency Preparedness Month and in 2016, there is a great need to explore faster and more effective methods of activating relief efforts. These apps can help keep you and your family safe in the event of an emergency. If you, or someone you know, has a…
Recently, Ability Tools, a program of California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), assisted with the disaster relief efforts related to the Northern Valley Fires. Deployed to the Napa county shelter as part of the state’s Functional Assessment Service Team, Ability Tools collaborated with state partners to quickly assess the needs of fire survivors with…