ADD Notice: Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness has never been so important or so complex. Access to accessible, appropriate information can help Americans to react in a disaster, and to be better prepared for the unexpected.

An extensive system of responders exists at the community, state, federal, and organizational levels to come to our aid wherever tragedy strikes. Among them are police, firefighters, medical personnel, the National Guard, the Center for Disease Control, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the National Red Cross, and disaster relief agencies such as Doctors Without Borders.

An important player within this system is the individual. Preparation is key, and from fire drills to CPR training, much has been done to guide individuals through disasters. Emergency preparedness checklists can also be a powerful tool, ensuring that individuals are armed with information that will prepare them to make important decisions in the face of an emergency.

Emergency preparedness links and checklists for people with disabilities are available on ADD’s website at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/add/resources/dispub.html. ADD will continue to update this information as appropriate.

ADD is now encouraging each of the state grantees to make this information available on its website so that individuals with disabilities can have easy access to these preparedness guidelines. For assistance, please contact Syed Rafiuddin at 202-690-5779.