Hurricane Preparations for People with Disabilities 2010
June 1st through November 30th is hurricane season. Texans with disabilities
should begin preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters that may
strike with very little warning. People with disabilities, their families
and attendants must consider matters of mobility, transportation, and
electric/ electronic assistive devices and service animals that may make
evacuation more difficult.
DARS urges our consumers to pre-register for transportation assistance with
the Texas 2-1-1 Information and Referral Network and inform your family,
friends and neighbors in advance that you might need their assistance
throughout the hurricane season.
For preparation tips, please visit the Texas Division of Emergency
Management web site at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem
The Department of State Health Services developed the Ready or Not Have a
Plan web site, It is an interactive Web site that promotes preparedness in
Texas; please visit http://www.texasprepares.org
Additional helpful information is also available at
http://www.Ready.gov and http://www.redcross.org
GETTING TO KNOW 2-1-1
DESCRIPTION:
2-1-1 provides a voluntary registry for people who need assistance and
evacuation in the case of an approaching hurricane. The public may register
year-round.
ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible registrants:
You have a disability or special health care need and require assistance to
evacuate.
You cannot drive and cannot arrange transportation.
You do not have a vehicle and you have no one else to help you evacuate.
INTAKE PROCEDURE:
Call 2-1-1 and select Option 4 to register or ask questions
Relay Users should call 1-877-541-7905
Registry information will be forwarded to local Offices of Emergency
Management OEMs. Local OEMs have the responsibility for evacuations.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER:
2-1-1 will stop entering people into the Registry 3 days (72 hours) before
tropical storm force winds are projected to make landfall. If you register
after this time, 2-1-1 will refer you to local OEMs for registration.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Once registered, caller information is not removed from the database. There
is no need to call and verify registration. People who registered last year
may re-register again this year if their information has changed.
Service pets will not be separated from their owners while in transit or at
the shelter. Non-service pets may be crated during transit and may be kept
in separate facilities.
Emergencies and disasters can happen any time. Keep emergency supplies on
hand in your home, office, and car – especially during hurricane season.
You’ll need non-perishable food, water and batteries. You’ll also need cash,
credit cards, copies of medical prescriptions and insurance documents.
Don’t forget products for babies, the elderly and special health care needs.
When local officials call for a mandatory evacuation, top off your gas tank
before you get on the road.
When a storm is anywhere in the Gulf of Mexico, be prepared to evacuate.
Make your evacuation plans now – before a storm – and get your emergency
supplies together now – before a storm.
LEAVE EARLY IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
When a hurricane threatens, be prepared. It will take much longer to travel
during a mandatory evacuation. If you’ve got special health care needs – and
can travel on your own – it is a good idea to leave ahead of the crowd. Make
your evacuation plans in advance, Bring medical supplies along with your
emergency kit. Learn your routes ahead of time.
ACCESSIBLE TIPS AND GUIDELINES
Go to: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/deaflink.htm
STAY INFORMED WITH INDIVIDUAL NOTIFICATION
The Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS) is a service contracted by the
State of Texas designed to address communication for all persons who are
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Blind and Deaf Blind. In minutes after receiving
authorized emergency information, Deaf Link produces an “air ready” alert
for broadcast by cable or television stations in sign language, voice and
text.
Deaf Link is continuing to gather email addresses, state and zip code
information for the Accessible Hazard Alert System – Individual
Notification. The emergency notification can be sent to email, pagers, cell
phones (with text capability), and PDAs (with email capability). This
service can provide users with access to emergency information for their
respective county, city or state. The AHAS-IN (individual notification) can
be received in American Sign Language (ASL), English text, voice and can
also be received by Braille capable devices for blind or deaf and blind
citizens.
This alert system is in addition to alerts on television and any other
hazard information you have access to. To register, go to
http://www.deaflink.com/ahas/ahas.php
Your information will be good for one year. You will receive one reminder to
re-new your information before it expires.
Source:
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/announcements/20100629.shtml