supporting people with disabilities during emergencies texas state guard texas medical rangers...

Supporting People with Disabilities

During Emergencies

Texas State GuardTexas Medical Rangers

August 2008

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesObjectives 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

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesIntroduction – 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%

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

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesIntroduction 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

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesBasic 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

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.

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesKey Concepts4. 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.

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesKey concepts7. 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.

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesADA Emergency Preparedness GuideAccessibility 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

Supporting People with Disabilities During Emergencies Tips for First Responders


Interactive

Exercise –

Evacuation

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesSupporting 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)

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesResources & 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

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesCase Studies

Supporting People with Disabilities During EmergenciesTake 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

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