It is especially important for residents with disabilities to be prepared before an emergency occurs. A disabled person is in the best position to know their abilities and needs before, during and after a disaster. Emergency plans must fit each individual's unique circumstances. In addition to the preparation steps discussed elsewhere on this site and on www.broward.org/hurricane, disabled persons may need to take extra measures to increase their self-reliance and ensure their safety.
Sensory Disabilities
Persons with hearing or visual limitations, including total blindness or deafness.
- When you seek emergency preparedness and response information from your government, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), gives you the right to request this information in alternate formats (e.g. Braille, audiotape, large font, etc.) You may have to wait a reasonable time while an alternate format document is prepared.
- Find out if fire alarms at your workplace or where you live are visual (flashing strobe lights) as well as audible.
- Consider purchasing a National Weather Radio. The radio turns itself on and emits an audible alarm in response to a message from the National Weather Service about a natural or manmade hazard. It can also emit a visual strobe alarm, and connect to other devices to shake a pillow or bed.
- Subscribe to Broward County's Emergency Update eMail System, which sends emergency information via email.
- If you evacuate to a public shelter, Federal law allows your guide dog or service animal to accompany you. You have the responsibility to care for your companion animal while the two of you are in the shelter.
- During an emergency, Broward County press conferences from the Emergency Operations Center will be broadcast on television with sign language interpretation.
- Have a battery-powered radio so you can tune in to Broward County's official emergency radio station, 610 AM WIOD for up-to-the-minute emergency information, including press conferences.
Special Items for Your Shelter Kit List:
- alternate means of communication, such as dry erase board or writing tablet with pens, pencils or markers
- extra batteries for tape recorders, portable TTYs, etc.
- extra pair of dark glasses, if medically required
- folding mobility cane
- food, medicine and favorite toy for your service animal
- plastic bags, disposable gloves and other items for your service animal's care
Mobility Disabilities
Persons with little or no use of their legs or arms, who generally use wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes or other devices as aids to movement.
- If you plan to evacuate to a public shelter, confirm that the shelter is ADA accessible.
- Consider purchasing a small bag to hold essentials that you can attach to your wheelchair or walker.
- Investigate options for new, lightweight evacuation devices that assist in transporting a disabled person down a stairway or out of a building. Be forewarned, however, that these devices require special training and are not a substitute for a wheelchair.
Special Items for Your Shelter Kit List:
- pair of heavy gloves to use while wheeling or making your way over glass and debris
- extra battery for your motorized wheelchair or scooter
- jumper cables or recharging device that can be connected to an automobile cigarette lighter
- patch kit or can of “seal-in-air-product” to repair flat tires
- spare cane or walker
- food, medicine and favorite toy for your service animal
- plastic bags, disposable gloves and other items for your service animal's care
Developmental or Cognitive Disabilities
Persons with disorders that may impact the person's ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, do math, or follow instructions.
- Develop a simple plan for evacuation and put copies in several places so you can find it easily.
- Practice your evacuation route out of your home and workplace until it is ingrained in your memory.
- Disasters increase stress and your coping skills may be adversely impacted. Try to find outlets for stress and creative solutions to problems.
Special Items for Your Shelter Kit List:
- Alternate power source or spare batteries for communication device
- Paper and writing materials
- A favorite item (small videogame or book) to help you maintain focus while waiting in lines
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