In the fall of 2011, the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware hosted a two-part webinar series entitled “The Emerging Landscape: The Law Related to People with Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness and Response” featuring Brian Parsons, Senior Policy Advisor at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In Part 1 of the webinar Brian explained what individuals with disabilities should know about their civil rights regarding how the government responds to disasters. He addressed legal obligations for accessibility in public information, evacuation, transportation, sheltering, supports and services, and community recovery. The presentation enabled participants to develop expectations about what should happen and not happen in an emergency, know how to get involved in community preparedness, and better understand their own responsibility to be prepared.
View the Part 1 webinar presentation in video, slides or as a Microsoft Word file.
In Part 2, Brian explained what emergency managers should know about civil rights requirements regarding individuals with disabilities in preparedness, response, and recovery activities. He will address legal principles including accessibility, integration, inclusion, effective communication, and program modification. The presentation will enable participants to better understand expectations about full and equal access by individuals with disabilities, know how to involve individuals with disabilities in community preparedness, and see how integration will improve safety and health outcomes during disasters. This information will be of interest to emergency managers and public administrators.
View the Part 2 webinar presentation in video, slides or as a Microsoft Word file.
For additional information on this topic, Brian suggests the following resources.
DOJ ADA Best Practices Toolkit
www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap7emergencymgmt.htm
Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in Disasters
http://www.fema.gov/oer/reference/index.shtm
FEMA Office of Disability Integration and Coordination
www.fema.gov/about/odic/
Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities
www.dhs.gov/disabilitypreparedness
Federal Disability Portal
www.disability.gov