Applying lessons from emergency planning and response after Hurricane Katrina, in which the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University was involved, BBI is providing resources for the protection and safety of people with disabilities who live in the path of Hurricane Irene.
“BBI’s longstanding work in the area of disaster mitigation for people with disabilities is particularly timely,” says University Professor Peter Blanck, BBI chairman. A project of BBI, the Disability Business and Technical Assistance Center: Southeast ADA Center, located in Atlanta, Ga., is one of ten regional resource centers providing hurricane preparedness resources to employers, business, government, and people with disabilities.
BBI researchers were involved in a post-Hurricane Katrina study funded by the US Department of Labor (DOL). The study assessed impact on the lives of persons with disabilities post-Katrina, the effect of DOL assistance provided to people with disabilities, and possible lessons learned to help improve support to persons with disabilities before, during, and after a disaster.
According to the study:
Emergency Preparedness and Disability Resources from the BBI/Southeast ADA Center
http://sedbtac.org/ada/publications/emergency_preparedness_resources.doc
Disaster Safety & Preparedness Guide for Seniors and People with Disabilities
http://www.nyredcross.org/?nd=disaster_safety_guide_for_seniors_and_people_with_disabilities
Preparedness: Tips for People with Special Needs
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/epr/Public/medneeds.pdf
Use of Social Media for Emergencies by People with Disabilities
http://www.wirelessrerc.org/publications/emergency-communications-and-people-with-disabilities/Survey%20Results-Social%20Media%20and%20EC.doc/view
Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing, And Human Services
http://www.fema.gov/oer/reference/
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