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Emergencies can happen at a moment's notice. Mobility, hearing, learning, or seeing disabilities can create specific needs that individuals need to address to be able to respond to an emergency. We urge everyone to become “Red Cross Ready” for any urgent situation, which means assembling a survival kit, making an emergency plan, and being informed. In addition, people with and without disabilities, as well as those in their support networks, may benefit from the tips below about managing communications, equipment, service animals, pets and home hazards.
A personal support network (sometimes called a self-help team) can help you prepare for a disaster. They can do this by helping you identify and get the resources you need to cope effectively. Network members can also assist you after a disaster happens. Learn how to create and implement your personal support network.
Think about the following questions and share your answers with your network. These answers should describe both your current capabilities and the assistance you may need before, during and after a disaster. Base your plan on your lowest anticipated level of functioning.
Daily living
Getting around
Evacuating
For people who use American Sign Language or use closed captioning, watch this video for emergency preparedness information.
Emergencies and disasters can unfold in unpredictable ways, and even carefully made plans may need to adapt to changing circumstances. That’s why it’s so important to arrange a back-up solution for the most critical parts of your emergency plan.
Your first option and plan should always be to go to family or friends first; they can accommodate you, your service animal and pets, and help you be most comfortable in a stressful situation. Emergency public shelters can provide a safe place to stay and meals while you are there, but not all shelters provide personal health care or assistance with activities of daily living. If you require the care of a personal attendant and choose to go to a shelter, bring the attendant with you.
Find our Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play »
Aplicación de Emergencias - ahora disponible en español » también!
Help people affected by disasters big and small.