Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies

1. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Texas State Guard Texas Medical Rangers August 2008

2. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Objectives • Introduction and Basic Laws Re: People with Disabilities • ADA Emergency Preparedness Guide • Tips for First Responders • Interactive Exercises • Supporting Individuals who Use Powered-technology • Resources & Links • Case Studies • Take Home Points

3. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Introduction – Statistics • 1 in 10 Texas have a disability • Percent of Texas population with a disability (Census – ACS, 2005) Aged 5 - 17 : 6.7% Aged 18 - 64: 11.9% Aged 65 +: 47.7% • Disability and Work in Texas (2005 Disability Status Reports) -Percentage of working-age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year in 2005: 25.8% -Median labor earnings of working-age people with disabilities who worked full-time/full-year in 2005: $28,000 • Percent of Texas population aged 5 and over who live below the poverty level: • With any disability: 23.8%

4. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies • Number of people in Texas households who are 16 to 64 years old: 14,417,382 • Percentage with: any disability: 11.7% • with a sensory disability: 3.2% • with a physical disability: 7.0% • with a mental disability: 4.2% • with a self care disability: 2.1% • with a-go-outside-home disability: 2.8% • with an employment disability: 5.9% • Number of people in Texas households who are 65 years and older: 2,147,849 • Percentage with: any disability: 44.3% • with a sensory disability: 18.5% • with a physical disability: 34.6% • with a mental disability: 13.3% • with a self care disability: 11.9% • with a-go-outside-home disability: 18.9% Source: Census-ACS 2005

5. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Introduction • People First language For example: -Person with a Visual Impairment/ who is blind, deaf-blind -Person with a Mobility Impairment/ who uses a wheelchair -Person with a Hearing Impairment/ who is deaf, hearing-impaired

6. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Basic Laws Re: People with Disabilities The primary Federal non-discrimination legislation related to individuals with disabilities includes: • Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended • Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) of 1990 • Fair Housing Act of 1968, as amended • Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 • Communications Act of 1934, as amended • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975, as amended

7. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Key concepts applicable under Federal law 1. Self-Determination– People with disabilities are the most knowledgeable about their own needs. − Whenever choices are available, people with disabilities have the right to choose their shelter location, what type of services they require, and who will provide them. 2. No “One Size Fits All”– People with disabilities do not all require the same assistance and do not all have the same needs. 3. Equal Opportunity– People with disabilities should have the same opportunities to benefit from emergency programs, services, and activities as people without disabilities.

8. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Key Concepts 4. Inclusion – People with disabilities have the right to participate in and receive the benefits of emergency programs, services, and activities provided by governments, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. 5. Integration – Emergency programs, services, and activities typically should be provided in an integrated setting. 6. Physical Access– Emergency programs, services, and activities should be provided at locations that all people can access, including people with disabilities.

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11. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Key concepts 7. Equal Access– People with disabilities should be able to access and benefit from emergency programs, services, and activities equal to the general population. 8. Effective Communication– People with disabilities should be given information comparable in content and detail to that given to the general public, as well as accessible, understandable, and timely. 9. Program Modifications– People with disabilities should have equal access to emergency programs and services, which may entail modifications to rules, policies, practices, and procedures. 10. No Charge– People with disabilities may not be charged to cover the costs of measures necessary to ensure equal access and nondiscriminatory treatment.

12. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies ADA Emergency Preparedness Guide Accessibility in • Planning • Notification • Evacuation • Emergency Transportation • Sheltering • Access to medications, refrigeration, and back-up power • Access to their mobility devices or service animals while in transit or at shelters • Access to information • Recovery/Return Home-Temporary Home

13. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies • Tips for First Responders

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23. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Interactive Exercise – Evacuation

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36. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Supporting Individuals who Use Powered-technology • Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices (http://www.jik.com/techartV4.doc)

37. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Resources & Links • Disability911.com • http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/emrscp/emerman.htm • ADA.gov • ADA Shelter Checklist http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap7shelterchk.htm • http://www.ilru.org/ • Houston Center for Independent Living www.coalitionforbarrierfreeliving.com

38. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Case Studies

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45. Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Take Home Points • Each person is an individual and their disability is only a part of who they are • Use People First language • Facilitate Personal Support Systems • Think about supplies, technology, environment for a person’s activities of daily living • It’s always best to start by asking how you can help or assist • Listen to the message of words and/or behaviors