Be ready to evacuate:
Ask your family or friends for assistance, if necessary.

• Have a plan for getting out of your home or building.
• Plan two evacuation routes because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster.

• Special equipment and supplies, e.g., hearing aid batteries
• Current prescriptions names and dosages
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacist
• Detailed information about the specifications of your medication regimen

• If you think you may need assistance in a disaster, discuss your disability with relatives, friends, and co-workers and ask for their help.
• Make sure they know where you keep emergency supplies.
• Give a key to a neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a disaster.

Contact your local emergency information management office now.

• Many local emergency management offices maintain registers of people with disabilities so they can be located and assisted quickly in a disaster.
• Wearing medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability may help in case of an emergency.
• Know the location and availability of more than one facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine or other life-sustaining equipment or treatment.

• When you dial 9-1-1, tap space bar to indicate TDD call.
• Store a writing pad and pencils to communicate with others.
• Keep a flashlight handy to signal whereabouts to other people and for illumination to aid in communication.
• Remind friends that you cannot completely hear warnings or emergency instructions. Ask them to be your source of emergency information as it comes over their radio.
• If you have a hearing ear dog, be aware that the dog may become confused or disoriented in an emergency. Store extra food, water and supplies for your dog.

• Show friends how to operate your wheelchair so they can move you if necessary.
• Make sure your friends know the size of your wheelchair in case it has to be transported.

If you care for someone with disabilities:

• People who are deaf or hearing-impaired may not hear early disaster warnings and emergency instructions. Carry information to them as soon as you hear it via radio or TV.
• Blind or sight-impaired people especially older people, may be very reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the evacuation order comes from a stranger.
• A guide dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. People who are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as their dog, to safety during a disaster.
• In most states, guide dogs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with owners. Check with your local emergency management officials for more information.
• People with impaired mobility are often concerned about being dropped when being lifted or carried. Find out the proper way to transfer or move someone in a wheelchair and what exit routs from buildings are best.
• Some people with mental retardation may be unable to understand the emergency and could become disoriented or confused about the proper way to react.
• Many respiratory illnesses can be aggravated by stress. In an emergency, oxygen and respiratory equipment may not be readily available.
• People with epilepsy, parkinson's disease and other conditions often have very individualized medication regime's that cannot be interrupted without serious consequences. Some may be unable to communicate this information in an emergency.

• Self-help networks are arrangements of people who agree to assist an individual with a disability in an emergency. Discuss with the relative, friend or co- -worker who has a disability what assistance he or she may need.
• Urge the person you care for to keep a disaster supplies kit and suggest that you keep an extra copy of the list of special items such as medicines or special equipment that the person has prepared.
• Talk with the person about how to inform him or her of an oncoming disaster and see about getting a key to the person's house so you can provided assistance without delay.