Emergency Preparedness Online,
Fifth Edition

A resource directory for emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and accessible communications

The National Organization on Disability (NOD)

A. The Emergency Preparedness Initiative

The mission of the National Organization on Disability is to expand the participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. NOD's Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI) was developed to ensure that emergency managers address disability concerns and that people with disabilities are included in all levels of emergency preparedness- planning, response, and recovery. EPI has become firmly established within the emergency management industry and disability advocacy organizations, having established coalitions and partnerships amongst the emergency preparedness community, as well as several disability related organizations.

B. Interactive Map of Disability and Emergency Preparedness Resources

Through its Emergency Preparedness Initiative, NOD has produced an extraordinary information tool in the form of an interactive map that provides an accessible, interactive directory of regional, state, and local disability-related emergency management resources. The interactive map contains a wealth of data including information on regional branches of FEMA and Technical Assistance Centers, state disability resource agencies, American Red Cross Chapters, and links to State and local Emergency Management Agencies.

C. Guide on the Special Needs of People with Disabilities

As part of the EPI, the NOD prepared a 2005 document entitled "Guide on the Special Needs of People with Disabilities for Emergency Managers, Planners, and Responders." The purpose of this document is to ensure that people with disabilities are included in emergency preparedness planning and response at all levels of our society.

D. NOD Accessibility Resources

This sub-section contains additional information regarding the National Organization on Disability and accessibility. It may also contain content that can be found elsewhere on this site. These accessibility resources have been gathered together, in this separate section, to provide easy availability to those for whom accessibility is a foremost concern.

1. Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide for Emergency Managers, Planners, and Responders
   http://www.nod.org/resources/PDFs/epiguide2005.pdf

   The National Organization on Disability's booklet that provides guidance on a range of issues concerning emergency planning for people with disabilities.

2. Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Sensory Disabilities
   http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&
   pageID=1430&nodeID=1&FeatureID=1569&
   redirected=1&CFID=4560278&CFTOKEN=82031564

   The National Organization on Disability's downloadable 2006 pamphlet that offers resources and information on how individuals with sensory disabilities should prepare for a disaster.

3. Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Mobility Disabilities
   http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&
   pageID=1430&nodeID=1&FeatureID=1571&redirected=1&
   CFID=4560278&CFTOKEN=82031564

   The National Organization on Disability's downloadable 2006 pamphlet that offers resources and information on how individuals with mobility disabilities should prepare for a disaster.

4. Prepare Yourself: Disaster Readiness Tips for People with Developmental or Cognitive Disabilities
   http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&
   pageID=1430&nodeID=1&FeatureID=1570&redirected=1&CFID=4560278&CFTOKEN=82031564

   The National Organization on Disability's downloadable 2006 pamphlet that offers resources and information on how individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities should prepare for a disaster.

5. Emergency Preparedness Research Paper Directory
   http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=1149

   A downloadable collection of academic, professional, government, and other official reports and studies concerning emergency preparedness and people with disabilities.

6. The December 2005 National Organization on Disability/Harris Survey on Emergency Preparedness
   http://www.nod.org/Resources/PDFs/episurvey05.pdf