{"id":84,"date":"2013-01-08T17:30:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-08T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/?p=84"},"modified":"2014-07-16T22:26:14","modified_gmt":"2014-07-16T22:26:14","slug":"emergency-preparedness-for-people-who-use-assistive-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/emergency-preparedness-for-people-who-use-assistive-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency Preparedness for People Who Use Assistive Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Jorge Ruiz, Assitive Technology Coordinator at Central Coast Center for Independent Living<\/a><\/span><\/h4>\n


Living in California, the<\/span><\/span> possibility of a high magnitude earthquake hitting and affecting our lives is very likely! In fact this past fall in<\/span><\/span> October there was a small 5.3 magnitude earthquake that originated in San Benito County and was felt in many parts of California. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Coincidentally, also in October,<\/span> I participated with the Local O<\/span>ffice of Emergency Services at their Emergency Operation Center for the <\/span>Shakeout<\/span><\/a>!  Shortly after everyone had ducked and covered, we held a three hour long exercise responding to an imaginary 7.3 magnitude earthquake and its aftershock. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

My job as the \u201cOperator\u201d was to take calls from emergency workers and connect them to the resources in our area. Imagine providing information and referral under heavy stress! This experience made me wonder<\/span> if people with disabilities who use assistive technology (AT) are prepared for a disaster like an earthquake.<\/span><\/span><\/span>

<\/span><\/span><\/span>The following helpful advice was adapted from publications by the Disability Law and AdvocacyCenter of Tennessee and the Georgia Emergency Preparedness Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities and Older Adults<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/span>What Can You Do in Your Home<\/span><\/u>? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/div>\n
Plan for the possible need to evacuate your home and do an assessment of the assistive technology (AT) you use in your home. In addition, make sure you have what you need to shelter in place. Compile a list of the AT critical to support your physical well-being and ability to communicate during an emergency. Have an appropriate back-up power supply and know how long the power supply lasts. The following questions will assist you in developing a list of AT used in your daily life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
D<\/span><\/b>o you use <\/span><\/b>A<\/span><\/b>ssistive <\/span><\/b>T<\/span><\/b>echnology<\/span><\/b>:<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 To assist you with mobility?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 To help with your personal care?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 To help you during meal time?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 For communication?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 For transfers?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u2022 For transportation?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
A<\/span><\/b>ccessible <\/span><\/b>R<\/span><\/b>outes<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba If you live in an apartment complex ask<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
about evacuation plans and routes. Check<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
the routes for accessibility and make sure<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
that designated areas of shelter are clearly<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
marked.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Gather information about how first responders<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
will be directed to residents with disability<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
related needs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
I<\/span><\/b>n the <\/span><\/b>W<\/span><\/b>orkplace<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Evaluate your assistive technology (AT) needs in<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
a workplace evacuation. Do you have personal AT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
that needs to be evacuated with you? Make sure<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
you have what you need to shelter in place. Do you<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
need AT to alert you to a disaster and the need to<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
evacuate the building?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Become familiar with the evacuation procedures of<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
your workplace and consider how a disaster may<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
impact your ability to leave the building safely.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Elevators may not be available for evacuation. If the<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
elevators are not working, learn the evacuation plan<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
if you cannot use the stairs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba If you have a mobility impairment, know what AT can<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
assist with evacuation. If there is AT available, where<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
is it located and is it easily accessible? Is someone<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
trained to use it? If AT is not available, ask if your<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
employer can purchase it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba If you are asked to go to a designated place to wait<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
for help, confirm how the first responders will be<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
notified where you are located.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba If you have a hearing and\/or visual impairment make<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
sure there is a working alert system in place.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Be responsible for your own safety. Develop<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
your own evacuation plan. Do not depend<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
on just one person to assist you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
Create a support network to<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
ensure assistance will be<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
available.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
General Things to Consider<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Let your local fire department and\/or utility company know <\/span>about your special needs.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba If you have a power wheelchair, consider having a<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
manual chair as a backup. If you use a custom wheelchair<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
for medical support (e.g. ventilator or oxygen), attach<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
information to it for the first responders.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Store backup equipment at another location.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Teach others in your support system how to use your AT<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
and attach laminated instructions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Keep critical AT charged and have backup batteries.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Make plans for someone to notify you of an emergency ifyou are deaf, hard of hearing or have vision impairment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Have a corded land line phone that does not use<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
electricity. A land line phone or cell phone can be used<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
during a power outage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Plan for taking AT with you. Remember to take chargers<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
and other components with you!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Label or tag your AT with your contact information.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Register your AT with the manufacturer.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Take a photograph of yourself using your AT. This helps<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
clearly identify the AT belongs to you!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Keep photographs and a record of all AT serial numbers in <\/span>a safe location (safe deposit box).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Think about how you might go about obtaining a short-term and\/or long-term replacement for your AT, if needed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
\u25ba<\/span>\u25ba Since homeowner\u2019s\/renter\u2019s insurance does not cover<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
damage by ground water, flood insurance may be needed<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
to replace AT lost or damaged in a disaster. Factor in the<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
cost of home or vehicle modifications when determining<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
the replacement value of your home or vehicle.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Also extremely helpful and interesting is the following video, “Prepare to Prosper,” by the San Fransisco Department of Emergency Management.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span><\/span>