Emergencies : How to Help People with Disabilities

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 5 Americans have a disability. That is 54 million people. If you find yourself in an emergency and you are in a position to help a person with a disability, the National Organization on Disability has tips on what you should keep in mind:

• Mobility limitation can make it difficult to climb up and down stairs or to move quickly over long distances.
• Vision impairments can make it difficult to read a sign or travel through unfamiliar areas.
• Hearing limitations can prevent people from following warnings or instructions.
• Many mental disabilities can prevent a person from responding to an emergency.

If you are trying to assist a person with a disability during an emergency, try to ask yourself these questions:

• What is it like to be a person with a disability during and after an emergency?
• Can the person hear or understand the warnings?
• Can the person quickly exit a home or workplace?
• Can the person move about the community after evacuating?
• Are there special necessary daily items (medicines, power supplies, medical devices) that are not likely to be available in emergency shelters and that the person needs?
• Are basic services like restrooms and showers available and accessible to people with disabilities in the shelter or refuge area?

These questions are not always easy to answer. Also, many disabilities are not easily recognized. Some people with disabilities may not be able to describe what their condition is.

Always ask a person how you can help him or her best.

Always try to establish clear communication with a person with a disability if you are trying to help her or him. You may have to speak slowly and clearly. You might have to repeat yourself a few times. You may also have to write instructions or even sign with your hands..

It is very important that you establish trust with the person. And although it may be very hard, your patience can make all the difference.

Make sure that people with disabilities are included in your organization’s or business’s emergency plans. Find out how.