EXCLUSIVE: Disaster plans leave disabled behind

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By Audrey Hudson

"And existing warning systems may be inadequate for rapid onset events, such as sirens that cannot be heard during high-wind events," the report said.

On the other hand, vibrating pillows could save lives.

The report cites Jim Davis, emergency management coordinator for Pittsylvania County, Va., who used a $5,000 grant to buy radios then engineered them to vibrate pillows as a warning mechanism, the report said.

"New technologies may soon address these barriers," the National Council's report said.

Some communities are not waiting for new gadgets to hit the shelves, and are taking advantage of current technology. For example, OK-WARN, a system for the deaf in Oklahoma, instantly notifies e-mail address and pagers when the National Weather Service issues a tornado alert.

The Homeland Security Department maintains a Web site at www.disabilitypreparedness.gov for emergency managers to plan and respond to emergencies involving the disabled. The site currently provides information involving the H1N1 flu outbreak.

Simple considerations such as evacuating the disabled along with family members can be key to saving lives, the report said.

"To illustrate, a lack of adequate transportation impeded evacuation efforts before Hurricane Katrina. Family members and caregivers refused to leave relatives or clients behind who could not walk to bus locations or were not provided with accessible transportation," the report said.

Some lessons have been learned, particularly in New Orleans, where tens of thousands of residents refused to evacuate despite repeated warnings from the National Weather Service and on orders from city and state officials.

Ken Fisher, New Orleans operations section chief for the Office of Emergency Preparedness, said in 2008 that it is important to "create and maintain an environment where the decision to evacuate becomes more desirable than remaining behind."

Making sure public transportation allows those with service animals or seeing-eye dogs to travel with their pets and that shelters have adequate handicapped features would be a significant step, the report said.

"Ensure that service animals, medical devices and equipment are transported to safety with their handlers," the report said. "Offer medical support and veterinary support."

"Train volunteers and staff on issues involving a full range of disabilities, including disability etiquette, service animals and communication procedures," the report said. "Take steps to ensure the dignity, privacy, and independence of shelter residents."

The disabled also have special needs when it comes to temporary housing in trailers and mobile homes after a disastrous event, including proximity to public transportation and health care facilities.

"Formalize programs that check for mold, formaldehyde and other toxins that can have a heightened effect on those with disabilities or medical conditions," the report said.

Scores of recommendations are included in the study, such as suggestions that disability coordinators be hired at regional FEMA offices and that the disabled be included in emergency exercises and recovery plans. The report also recommends that disaster recovery funding include coverage costs associated with health care disruption, loss of medical equipment, caregiver expenses, transportation and costs associated with seeing-eye dogs or other service animals.

Insurance companies should be mandated to cover nursing homes during evacuations, and entitlement checks should be released before an event so that recipients are more willing and able to evacuate, the National Council on Disability report said.

The report was to be released publicly Wednesday morning at the National Conference on Community Preparedness in Arlington. The report is part of the National Council on Disability's congressional mandate to collect information on federal laws, policies and practices that affect the disabled.