Emergencies and disasters most often times strike quickly and without warning, forcing people to have to quickly evacuate. For those with disabilities, emergencies, such as fires, floods and acts of terrorism, present a real challenge. 

Make a Plan 

In the event of a disaster, you should be prepared to make it on your own for several days.  After a disaster, it may become difficult to access a medical facility or a drugstore.  It is crucial to plan for your daily needs and know what you would do if they become unavailable.   Some additional planning could also include some of the things listed below. You can find this list along with different kits that can be built for people with disabilities on www.ready.gov/disabiliites. 

Personas con discapacidades (Ready.gov, Spanish version, Individuals with Disabilities).

In the event of a disaster, create a support group of people you can turn to for help. You can keep a list of contacts in your emergency kit, or wherever you'd be able access it quickly in an emergency. 

• Tell your support network where your emergency supplies are kept. Consider giving your trusted friend a key to access your apartment or house.
• You should plan ahead for accessibility transportation in case you need it for evacuation, or to get around after a disaster. To find the best accessible options, consult your emergency management agency as well as local transit providers.
• Many local and county emergency management offices maintain voluntary registries that allow people with disabilities to self identify in order to be eligible for targeted assistance during disasters and emergencies. For more information, contact your nearest emergency management office.
• You should know where and when you can find help if you're on dialysis, or any other life-sustaining medical treatment.
• Talk to your doctor if you have medical equipment that uses electricity in your home. They may be able help you keep it running during an outage. Your power provider can also put you on a priority list for power restoration.
• Half of Americans use prescription medication every day. In an emergency, it can be difficult to fill their prescriptions or find an open pharmacy. Preparing for an emergency? Make sure you have your prescriptions, over-the counter drugs and vitamins organized and protected.
• Wear medical alert bracelets or tags. You can also add any relevant medical information to your electronic devices.
• Consider carrying printed cards or information on your device to help first responders to understand how you communicate.
• Plan how you will evacuate if you are using assistive technology. Also plan how to replace damaged or lost equipment.
• Use the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' online service to locate and access electronic health records from many sources.
• Children and adults may experience difficulties in chaotic or unfamiliar environments. Plan for your support or service animal and ensure you have enough food, water, and other supplies. You will need to find out if your shelter allows pets if you have to evacuate. Some shelters do not allow support or service animals.
• A list of local hospitals, medical facilities and transportation options is a good idea.