8/10/2018 WHEN DISASTER STRIKES E M E R G E N C Y P R E PA R E D N E S S F O R S TAT E A N D L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T S TRAINING OBJECTIVES 1. Develop an in-depth understanding of ADA Title II and other disability rights laws as it applies to emergency planning and programs 2. Apply disability rights laws as it relates to animals, transportation, communication, physical and programmatic access 3. Develop inclusive practices and policies for emergency preparedness 4. Identify local and state partners, organizations, and community members to collaborate with to ensure inclusive and effective emergency preparedness 2 OVERVIEW • People with Disabilities make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, or 59 million people* • Between January 2017 and January 2018 (12 months total) there were approximately 124 disasters . This number only includes disasters declared by FEMA.** • Hurricane Harvey: Older adults trapped in waist high-water in a nursing home in Dickinson, Texas • Hurricane Maria: Evacuees, dependent on electricity, from Puerto Rico are still on the mainland in hospitals due to continued power outages in their towns • Volcanic Eruptions in Hawaii: Deaf individuals staying in homes due to lack of video phones in shelters *25 Commandments for Disability Inclusion and Universal Accessibility Before, During and After Disasters, The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster 3 Strategies, June 26, 2017 **Disasters, Total Number of Declared Disasters: by State/Tribal Government and by Year, https://www.fema.gov/disasters# 1
8/10/2018 WHO TO CONSIDER People with Access and Functional Needs: • Older adults • Children • Women in late stages of pregnancy • People with temporary disabilities • People with limited transportation • Limited literacy • English as a second language People with Disabilities: • An individual with one or more physical or mental impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities or bodily functions • Record of having a disability as defined above • Regarded as having a disability 4 THE LAWS • Rehabilitation Act of 1973 • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 • Stafford Act of 1988 • Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 • Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988 • Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 • Telecommunications Act of 1996 • Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 5 THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 [SECTION 508] • Federal agencies must make their electronic and information technologies accessible to people with disabilities – Including State and Local Governments receiving Federal funds • Apps on smart phones • Alert messages on websites • Alerts sent through phones and e-mails 6 2
8/10/2018 THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Title II: • Applies to all State and Local Governments • Before, During and After a Disaster: Effective Communication Physical Accessibility Programmatic Accessibility 7 POST KATRINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REFORM ACT OF 2006 • Requires the President to issue regulations that prohibit discrimination based on disability in disaster assistance • (Sec. 213) Amends the Stafford Act to direct the Administrator of FEMA to appoint a Disability Coordinator to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in emergency preparedness and disaster relief 8 LET’S REVIEW IN DETAIL… 9 3
8/10/2018 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Talk to your Produce both Ensure that alert local news written and systems are 508 reporters and verbal compliant and videographers communication work ahead of time Announcements: include Provide appropriate real-time captioning and American Sign Language interpretations in various languages interpreters on screen and visible 10 ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION • Create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with agencies that oversee: – School buses – Paratransit vans and vehicles – Taxi cabs – Train systems – Airlines • Provide accessible transport during evacuation, to and from a shelter, to and from medical facilities, and upon return to places of stay • Modify policies to allow pets and emotional support animals on board 11 ANIMALS • Service animals must be allowed in all entities where the public can go • Emotional support animals must be allowed in shelters or other housing options • Try to co-locate individuals with their animals • Work with your local ASPCA to create a procedure for when an emergency happens • Partner with your local Department of Health to create onsite medical services for all animals • Service animals, emotional support animals, and pets should NEVER be left behind or separated from their owner 12 4
8/10/2018 PHYSICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC ACCESS • Identify local accessible buildings prior to a disaster • Identify multiple shelters across neighborhoods • Create a tier system to rate accessibility of buildings – Allows for individuals to look at list of identified buildings to see what level of accessibility is offered • Path of travel – Ensure an individual can enter and exit the shelter – Ensure an individual can move around the shelter and access all programs, bathrooms, food areas, water fountains, and telephones • Modify policies and procedures as needed 13 APPLYING MULTIPLE LAWS • Reinforce that there are multiple laws that apply during a disaster to all staff and volunteers • Ensure that staff, all agencies, and volunteers are: – Educated on the area’s disaster preparedness plan – Fully trained in resources available in the community – Trained on disability rights laws • During planning and preparation stays, include all laws that are applicable • State anti-discrimination laws may also apply 14 WHERE TO BEGIN… • Bring community members with disabilities, the aging population, and those with Access and Functional Needs to the planning table • Create goals and initiatives based off of the feedback from the community • Work with local emergency management agencies, volunteers, and partners • Identify the largest barriers facing the whole community • Meet frequently to ensure plans, policies, and practices are up-to-date and the most effective for when a disaster occurs 15 5
8/10/2018 COMMUNITY PARTNERS • Community Independent Living • Local UCEDD (University Centers Centers (CIL) for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research • The Developmental Disability and Service) Council • Local student-run disability groups • Grass Roots Disability Rights • Senior Wellness Centers Organizations • Community partners of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind • Organizational Affiliates of the National Association of the Deaf • Protection and Advocacy Agency • Local Veterans groups 16 THE CMIST MODEL* • C ommunication • M aintaining Health • I ndependence • S upport, S afety, and S elf determination • T ransportation 17 *Created by June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant INCLUSION AND INTERSECTIONALITY MATTER • People with disabilities are often faced with various types of barriers throughout their life. Because of this we are more often than not creative in finding ways around these barriers and we tend to know what it is that we need • This thinking process allows for individuals with disabilities to provide unique ideas and solutions to arising issues prior to, during, and after a disaster • Because disability crosses all communities, many individuals may offer skills such as interpretation of another spoken language, sign language, expertise in technologies, and cultures 18 6
8/10/2018 COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE… Some People with It keeps our disabilities can individuals may families and be experts in need support neighbors safe adapting and from their community problem solving Resources It reduces are limited It reduces stress on during and reliance on We are health care after an stronger government and response emergency entities together systems 19 COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS CRITICAL • Host emergency preparedness events and workshops in community- based settings • Engage your disability community partners • Encourage your colleagues, neighbors, religious affiliates, family and friends to join you • Including children is just as important as including adults 20 ASK YOURSELF… • Does your community know emergency routes and evacuation plans? • Does your community know where to find the closest shelter? • Does your community know where to look, listen, or find announcements? • Does your community know what to include in a disaster preparedness kit? • Does your community know which emergency clinic, hospital, and gas stations are in the area? • Is your community prepared? 21 7
8/10/2018 REGISTRIES, DATABASES, AND MYTHS, OH MY! • Registries often give a false sense of security and expectation by registrants • There is a large difference between registrant expectation and responder capacity • If you offer a registry or database for individuals: – Include language explaining that it does not guarantee assistance or rescue – Include language explaining that individuals should also have a preparedness plan in place – Repeat the above if necessary 22 LET’S DISCUSS QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 23 JULIA WOLHANDLER JESSICA HUNT • E-mail: Julia.Wolhandler@dc.gov • E-mail: Jessica.Hunt@dc.gov • Office Phone: 202-727-2890 • Office Phone: 202-727-0287 24 8
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