Had a FANTASTIC training today at the college I work for- I asked someone from our disability office give a presentation to our campus volunteer group about how to best support people with disabilities in a disaster response. A few highlights for #EMGTwitter:
When possible, give information & instructions in multiple formats. Both written and verbal! Repetition is important. Also, make sure it's possible for people to revisit that information at their own pace.
Sending information electronically is good because people who need assistance with text usually have some kind of program on their phone that will read it for them. BUT - keep in mind that PDF's are usually not accessible in this way.
Do not assume that someone is ignoring or disobeying instructions on purpose. DO assume you don't have all the information. They might not have understood, might be unaware of social cues, or might be too overwhelmed to listen.
Remember that disasters are highly disruptive (by definition!) and that loss of routine can be very stressful. If someone seems distressed, approach calmly, never touch them without asking, repeat instructions in small chunks, and ask what you can do to help.
When considering physical accessibility, remember that doors may not be the only issue- is the sidewalk leading up to the door blocked off/impassable? Can that individual get where they need to be once they're inside the building?
Also consider that loss of power might take out the electronic buttons that open doors automatically. People with physical disabilities might need someone to open doors for them until that system is running again.
If you're assigning tasks, always ask people what their limitations are. Trust that they know themselves and their abilities best!
When providing food, remember to include alternatives to at LEAST the top 8 allergens. These are: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
That's all I've got for now! What other suggestions do you have for ensuring that people with disabilities have the support they need in a disaster? #EMGTwitter
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