Access and Functional Needs
Everyone requires support and assistance during an emergency. However, some people with functional limitations may need to take additional steps to prepare for an emergency. Take time to identify the specific considerations you and your loved ones may have so you can be better prepared.
Stay Prepared
Anyone can have access or functional limitations. In fact, most people require some level of functional support during a crisis. This can be due to a lifelong disability, temporary injury, limited ability to communicate in English, or not having access to a personal vehicle.
This page aims to provide you with helpful information, regardless of how you self-identify, so you and those you care about are better prepared for emergencies. The resources throughout this page will provide supporting information about Access and Functional Needs in emergency management.
Defining Access and Functional Needs
Access and Functional Needs refer to the broad range of access limitations and individualized supports and services that some individuals may need to ensure equity in emergency and disaster planning and response.
It recognizes the needs and limitations that various people may have to prepare for, respond to, or recover from emergencies and disasters, including the following:
Individuals with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and/or pharmacological dependencies,
Individuals who speak a language other than English,
People from diverse cultures,
Those who are pregnant and/or parenting person(s),
Children and older adults (with or without disabilities),
People who are limited income and/or lack transportation access.
Additional resources can be found here:
CDC Access and Functional Needs Toolkit
Stay Alert
Have Multiple Ways to Receive Emergency Alerts:
Emergency alerts can save lives.
Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts.
Sign up for free emergency messages in NY Alert at the link below.
Text your county or borough name to 333111 for emergency and weather alerts or visit the link below to see what types of messages are sent through this system.
Pay attention to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) that you receive on 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. This includes local emergency alerts systems, radio, television broadcasts, and social media.
Your county, city, town, or village may have their own alerting system, check with your local emergency management office to find out.
Additional resources include the local National Weather Service (NWS) and the county sheriff's office.
Make a Plan
Develop an Emergency Plan That Fits Your Household’s 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. More information can be found at the link below.
Create a Personal Support Network
A personal support network is the combination of people, resources, and services that can be immediately available to you during an emergency. These are people in your network, such as 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.
Additionally, consider support networks within your neighborhood or community. A community support network brings neighbors together to provide mutual assistance to individuals who may need it. Neighbors can help each other clear snowstorm debris, move heavy objects, complete simple home repairs, loan tools, or share information.
Organize a network that includes your home, school, workplace, volunteer site, care facility, and any other places where you spend a lot of time.
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.
You should include at least two 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 in advance of a disaster. It is vital that you have power backup options for your equipment. Note that even if you are on a “priority reconnection service” your power could still be out for many days following a disaster.
You can find utility listings for New York State at the link below.
Complete a Personal Assessment
Evaluate what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance you may need before, during, and after an emergency. This evaluation should be based on your environment after an emergency, your capabilities, and your needs. 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 power wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators, and electrical lifts.
Back-up power sources including battery packs and chargers.
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.
Additional Resource:
Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Checklist
Have A Plan for Transportation and Evacuation
Establish a plan that begins with the transportation provider you utilize for personal business and appointments. Ask about their ability to transport after regular operating hours during an emergency.
Independent Living Centers (ILC) specialize in assistance for people with disabilities including emergency planning and preparedness. Contact the center in your region for guidance on transportation during an emergency.
In an evacuation, be ready to explain your specific needs or those of a household member to first responders and emergency officials so you receive the necessary support to safely evacuate and find shelter.
Contact your County Office of Emergency Management to see if they have additional guidance, resources, or programs specific to residents with disabilities or access and functional needs.
You can find your County Office of Emergency Management at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/county-emergency-management-offices.
If you or a family member requires immediate assistance evacuating your home during an evacuation order, call 911.
However, the ability of first responders to respond may be adversely affected depending on the severity of the weather-related event, emergency, or disaster.
Further Considerations
If you are a person who is blind, has low vision, is deaf or hard of hearing and are unable to use the television, radio, or social media, have a plan for someone to contact you, or you to contact them, to convey emergency information.
A Personal Assistant (PA) is someone who helps you with everyday tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, toileting, transferring, shopping or communicating. PAs can be paid, volunteer, or a family member or friend. Other names for this person are attendant or caregiver.
If you use a personal care assistant through an employment agency, check to see if the agency has procedures in place for emergencies, such as providing services at another location if an evacuation is ordered.
If you use a personal assistant that is a family member or a friend, have a plan on how they will be able to contact you and get to you during an emergency.
Personal Assistants qualify as Essential Workers in New York State and can be exempt from travel bans during emergencies. To learn more, read the Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) Determination of Essential Workers below.
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. Practice the alerting and evacuation plan.
Consider purchasing a medical alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency. Many alert systems require a phone line which could become disrupted in an emergency.
Have phone numbers readily available of people you may need to call if the 9-1-1 emergency number is overloaded.
Additional Resources
New York State Emergency Information Handbook
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
A basic emergency supply kit contains essential items for you and your household during an emergency. An emergency supply kit can help you stay prepared for different emergencies and situations.
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. Find more details at https://www.dhses.ny.gov/before-emergency.
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, extra charging cables, and backup power-banks/batteries.
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 a physical list of critical contacts with phone number and both home and work addresses when relevant. Include caregivers, family, friends, members of your support network, and important medical providers.
Additional Resources
Americans with Disabilities Act National Network: Emergency Supply Kits
Statewide AFN Resources
State Agency Landing Pages
The NYS Department of Health (DOH) provides a variety of information for parents, people with special needs, pregnant individuals, and others who may have specific health considerations during emergencies.
New York City (NYC) "Be Ready" emergency management preparation resources provide information for people with disabilities in preparation for an emergency or disaster.
The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) provides a variety of mental health strategies for use preparing for and responding to all types of emergencies.
The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) offers a variety of programs to assist individuals in need of food, shelter, employment, childcare, and additional support services.
The NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer (OCDO) provides resources related to accessibility and supports for individuals with disabilities.
The NYS Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office aims to provide resources and improve quality of life for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing people.
Federal Resources and Landing Pages
CDC Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities provides information for people with disabilities for emergencies as well as communication resources.
DisasterAssistance.gov provides survivors of disasters resources and support to help aid recovery.
Ready.gov Information Center assists people with disabilities with access to information on how to prepare and make a plan for an emergency/disaster.
New York State Person-First and Identity-First Language Glossary
New York State Physical and Sensory Disability Etiquette Handout
New York State Intellectual, Developmental, Mental Health, and Communication Disability Etiquette Handout
United Spinal Association Disability Etiquette Guide: Tips on Interacting Respectfully with People with Disabilities
Emergency Planning Guidance
Preparedness for Older Adults (American Red Cross)
Before an Emergency Happens (NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services)
Roll Program Emergency Preparedness for Wheelchair Users (United Spinal Association)
Disaster Preparedness Commission (DPC) Determination of Essential Workers
Individual Preparedness Resource Videos
How to Prepare an Emergency Kit
Preparedness for All: Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities - ASL
Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Other Access and Functional Needs
Helping Children with Disabilities During an Emergency
Personal Disaster Preparedness: I Use a Wheelchair
Personal Disaster Preparedness: I am Blind
Personal Disaster Preparedness: I am Hard of Hearing
*Videos are available with open caption and a certified deaf interpreter.