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People with Special Needs
According to 2000 U.S. Census data, over 450,000 people with disabilities reside along the section of the Gulf Coast that was affected by Hurricane Katrina. This website provides information for people with disabilities, their families and friends, and emergency responders who have to prepare and respond to emergencies and disasters.
People with disabilities might be at greater risk from a disaster than people without disabilities. Some concerns include:
86,863
10,776 40,495 25,379
88,512 102,106 4,565 14,545 7,554 3,796 6,690 30,815 20,675 11,013
It is important that people with disabilities and their family members make plans to protect themselves in the event of natural or man-made disasters. First responders need to know how to work with people with disabilities to evacuate them safely and efficiently. Emergency planners must ensure that shelters are accessible to people with a variety of disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency Responders Q: I am an emergency responder. Where can I find information about how to work with people with disabilities and assist them with an evacuation?
A: A tip sheet for first responders on interacting with people with disabilities developed by the University of New Mexico. This is intended to be laminated: http://cdd.unm.edu/products/tips_web020205.pdf
Emergency Preparation Q: Where can I find information about how to better prepare myself or my family members or friends with disabilities?
A: The National Organization on Disability- Emergency Preparedness Initiative http://nod.citysoft.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=1564
Shelters Q: I have a disability and I am staying at a shelter that does not accommodate me very well. How can I find temporary housing that is accessible to people with disabilities?
A: An organization named The Arc of the United States has developed a website to provide information about housing to victims of Hurricane Katrina: http://classifieds.thearclink.org/
Receiving Government Benefits Q: I am not staying at my normal residence. How can I receive my government benefits or health coverage while I am, or my family member is, staying away from home?
A: Information about continuation of monthly benefits from Social Security can be found at: http://www.ssa.gov/emergency/
Information about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
Medicines
Q: Will it further hurt my disability to stop taking my medicine?
A: You should make every effort to continue taking your medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Source: "Hurricanes: Special Populations." CDC. 20 September 2005. Date Accessed: 17 December 2008.
Page Last Updated: 2/4/09 17:07