emergency preparedness

November 2013 — A recent ruling by the United States District Court found that New York City failed to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities when planning for and responding to disasters in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

August 2013 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) announced that the two organizations will partner to ensure that older Americans have better access to service and resources for emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The new effort will include expanded “social media outreach, and training and exercise, and evaluation opportunities.” Although, AARP has historically implemented emergency preparedness and response programs, the organization hopes the partnership will expand their role in the community.

Recently published in the February 2013 issue of Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published by the journal for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM), this Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities Information and Education Page was created by Wireless RERC researcher, John Morris and Wireless RERC co-director, Mike Jones.  The checklist is meant to aid people with disabilities in putting together an emergency plan and recommend essential items necessary to survive in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. 

John Morris and Michael Jones of the Wireless RERC published a guide and checklist entitled Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities in the February issue of “Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.” The article provides guidelines for individuals with disabilities to follow when developing emergency plans in preparation for emergency situations and includes a checklist of items to include in emergency kits, such as a Ready Kit and a Go Bag.