Effective Communications and Emergency Preparedness

Are you the ADA Contact for your municipality, business, school or organization?  Or just looking for more information about the ADA?  Consider attending the State Conference or enrolling in one of our four classes covering nine different topic areas.  The classes are held on a rotating basis throughout the year.  All classes are currently virtual. 

People with disablities including people with sensory disabilities have the right to paricipate in all programs and services. We will talk about possible supports (auxiliary aids) to ensure effective coomunication so that people with disabilities can participate.

We will then talk about including people with disabilities in emergency planning from the beginning instead of as an after thought.

Non-Discrimination Principles of the law Stafford Act, Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, along with Federal Civil Rights laws, such as, the ADA mandate equal integration and opportunity doer people with disabilities in general pop shelters.

1. Self-Determination – right to choose own shelter location, types of services, who will provide them.

2. No ‘One-Size-Fits-All’  - includes wide range including but not limited to people who use mobility aids, service animals, require medication or portable medical equipment, need information in alternate formats, rely on a care-giver.

3. Equal Opportunity – same opportunities to benefit from emergency shelter as people without disabilities.

4. Inclusion – of people with disabilities in planning, training and evaluation.

5. Integration – not special and separate shelters, should keep people with disabilities connected to their support systems and caregivers

6. Physical Access – parking, drop-off areas, entrances & exits, security screening areas, toilet rooms, bathing facilities, sleeping areas, dining facilities, areas where medical care or human services are provided & paths of travel between areas.

7. Equal Access – to transportation, communication, food, first aid, medical care, application and distribution of benefits.

8. Effective Communication – information comparable in content and detail to others that is accessible, understandable and timely.

9. Program Modifications – equal access may entail changes to rules, policies, practices and procedures.

10. No Charge – people with disabilities cannot be charged to cover costs of measures necessary to ensure equal access and non-discrimination.