Including People with Disabilities in Disaster Planning Prepare Now By Carol Drescher MA RN CBIS CNRN CRRN

The day that changed America John Abruzzo was rescued by 10 coworkers from the 69 th floor. Ed Beyea was trapped on the 27 th floor with his best friend at his side Emergency Evacuation Preparedness: Taking Responsibility for Your Safety by June Isaacson Kailes cdihp

Executive Order: Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness George W. Bush White House July 22,

Disaster Lessons New Orleans 2005 Hurricane Katrina GlobalSecurity.org Sept 2008 Red Cross volunteers assist a resident with settling into the Galveston shelter. Courtesy William Pitts/American Red Cross. 

Disability Statistics  54 million Americans  61% of people with disabilities do not have an evacuation plan  58% do not know what the emergency plan is for their community  4 million require assistance from another person to complete ADLs  8 million have visual loss; 130,000 blind  32 million deaf & hard of hearing community

1/5 th of the population! “People with disabilities are less prepared and more anxious” than those without a disability. National Organization on Disability N.O.D./Harris Surveys  1.5 million use a wheelchair  >7 million have dev delay  7.4 million use assistive technology

A disability can affect a person’s ability to…  Hear  See  Understand  Communicate  Walk  Move  Eat

Modified Diet Consistency Liquids: Pudding Nectar Honey Thin Puree Ground Mechanical soft Regular

Feeding Tubes

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Refrigeration Generator/Electricity

Image: Beyond food, water, cot and a blanket

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Many evacuees in the shelter in Alexandria arrived several days before Hurricane Gustav made landfall. Courtesy Kati Garner American Red Cross.