Access & Functional Needs

Be Prepared

If you or a loved one has a disability or an access or functional need (AFN), you may need to take additional steps to prepare for an emergency.

Who Are Individuals With Access and Functional Needs?

People with permanent or temporary physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities
People with chronic conditions or injuries
People with limited English proficiency
Older adults and children
People who are unhoused or of low income
Pregnant women
Individuals who require service animals

Develop an Emergency Plan That Fits You and Your Families Specific Needs

Emergencies can happen at any time. Be prepared, and develop a plan. Know what to do at home, and learn about plans at your workplace, school, care facility, or anywhere your family spends a lot of time. Maintain an emergency contact list and identify your support network.

Create a Personal Support Network

A personal support network can help you prepare for an emergency or disaster by helping you identify resources and be able to gain access to them quickly.

Organize a network that includes your home, school, workplace, volunteer site, care facility, and any other places where you spend a lot of time.
Members of your network can be roommates, relatives, neighbors, friends, caregivers, and co-workers, both local and out of town. They should be people who you trust and who can help if you need additional assistance.
Teach those who may need to assist you how to operate necessary equipment. Network members should know your capabilities and needs, and they should be able to provide help within minutes.
Store back-up equipment such as mobility and medical at a neighbor’s home, school, or your workplace.
You should include a minimum of three people in your network for each location where you spend a lot of time, you never know who will be available.
Contact your power and water companies about your needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of a disaster.

Many utility companies keep a “priority reconnection service” list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers for use in an emergency. Ask the customer service department of your utility companies if this service is available. Note that even if you are on the “priority reconnection service” list, your power could still be out for many days following a disaster. It is vital that you have power backup options for your equipment.

Source: Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Checklist

Complete a Personal Assessment

Decide what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance you may need before, during, and after an emergency. This will be based on your environment after an emergency, your capabilities, and your limitations. Make an electronic list or paper copy of your current capabilities and limitations and be ready to share that list with your personal support network.

Consider the following in your assessment:

Assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and eyeglasses.
Adaptive feeding devices including special utensils and feeding tubes.
Building exits, mobility aids, and ramp access.
Caregivers and access to personal support networks.
Electricity-dependent equipment such as dialysis and electrical lifts.
Personal care items for bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Personal care equipment like a shower chair or tub-transfer bench.
Service animals, pet supplies, and licenses.
Transportation and evacuation plans.

Have A Plan For Transportation and Evacuations

Work with local transportation providers and/or disability services such as Paratransit, Independent Living Centers, and religious organizations to plan for accessible transportation in case of an emergency.
In an evacuation, be ready to explain your specific needs or those of a family member to first responders and emergency officials so you receive the necessary support to safely evacuate and find shelter.
Consider contacting your local Emergency Management Office to see if your local government has a voluntary registry for people with access and functional needs.
If you or a family member require immediate assistance evacuating your home during an evacuation order, call 911.

Additional Considerations

If you are a person with low vision or blind, deaf, or hard-of-hearing, and if you are unable to use the TV or radio, plan for someone to convey emergency information to you.
If you use a personal care attendant, check to see if the employing agency has special provisions for emergency, such as providing services at another location if an evacuation is ordered.
If you live in an apartment, ask management to identify and mark accessible exits and areas designated for emergency shelter or safe rooms. Ask about plans for alerting and evacuating people with disabilities.
Consider purchasing a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency. Because most alert systems require a phone line, regular landlines and cellphones could become disrupted.
Keep numbers you may need to call nearby if the 9-1-1 emergency number is overloaded.

Build an Emergency Supplies Kit

In addition to your basic emergency supply kit, include items that meet your specific needs or the needs of a family member for various types of emergencies. Consider the items you use every day and what you may need in case something breaks or becomes inaccessible.

Consider the following as you build your kit:

Keep a backup supply of assistive equipment and batteries where possible, such as oxygen tanks, medical devices, walkers/canes/wheelchairs; extra eyeglasses; and hearing aids.
Have extension cords and extra charging cables for electronic devices.
Include a 10-day supply of life sustaining medications and a first aid kit.
Have a cooler or chemical ice packs available to chill medicines that require refrigeration.
Include supplies for service animals, i.e. extra food, blankets, service collar.
If you use an electric wheelchair or scooter, keep a manual wheelchair for back-up.
Keep a list of your assistive devices and where extra devices/batteries are stored. Label and attach laminated instructions to your equipment.
Have duplicates of important documents such as identification documents (social security cards, birth certificates, driver’s license, passports); insurance policies; bank account/credit card information; medical records; and emergency contact lists. Safeguard these documents and an emergency supply of medications in a waterproof bag or container.

Have Multiple Ways to Receive Emergency Alerts

Have Multiple Ways to Receive Emergency Alerts:

Emergency alerts can save lives. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts.

Sign up for NY-Alert to receive emergency information. It is a free subscription-based service to receive emergency information.
Pay attention to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) that will come to your mobile phone. Check your phone settings to see what accessibility accommodations are available for emergency alerts.
Learn about other resources and devices to assist you in receiving emergency instructions and warnings from local officials. Such as local emergency alerts systems, radios, television broadcasts, and social media.

Additional Resources

CDC Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities : CDC provides information for people with disabilities as well as for first responders assisting people with disabilities during an emergency or natural disaster.

Department of Health (DOH) : The NYS Department of Health provides a variety of information for parents, people with special needs, pregnant individuals, and others.

DisasterAssistance.gov : DisasterAssistance.gov provides resources and information on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities or access and functional needs.

Justice Center for the Protection of People With Special Needs : The NYS Justice Center provides additional information on disaster emergency preparedness and disability resources.

NYC Be Ready Emergency Management Preparation Resources : NYC Emergency Management provides information for people with disabilities in preparation for an emergency or disaster, including this workbook to help create emergency plans.

Office of Mental Health (OMH) : The NYS Office of Mental Health provides a variety of mental health strategies for use preparing for and responding to all types of disasters.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) : The NYS of Temporary and Disability Assistance offers a variety of programs to assist individuals in need of food, shelter, employment, childcare, and additional support services.

Ready.gov : Ready.gov Information Center assists people with disabilities with access to information on how to prepare and make a plan for an emergency/disaster.