“Every one of us should know our individual needs for our specific situation, and if anything goes wrong out of our regular routine, what we need to do to continue moving forward.”
– Emergency Preparedness Group Member Andy Weyant
United Spinal Association understands the challenges facing people with spinal cord injuries/disorders and all wheelchair users affected by natural or human-caused disasters. Thanks to support from the Nielsen Foundation, our Ready to Roll program directly assists affected wheelchair users. Our Advocacy Program’s Emergency Preparedness Working Group regularly compiles resources and ideas on how to be prepared for when disaster strikes.
Members of our Emergency Preparedness Working Group have experienced a wide array of disasters and emergencies, and they know what it takes to be prepared and ready. This emergency preparedness resource is an informative guide to help wheelchair users prepare for any disaster, whether caused by humans or nature. It is organized into four topics, each leading to a more detailed post.
In “Everything You Need to Know to Create a Support Network and Communication Plan,” you will find:
- Helpful emergency communication forms
- Information on signing up for local resources, emergency alerts and warnings
- Access to additional alerts that may be relevant to your locality
“What Can Wheelchair Users Do In An Emergency Evacuation?” includes:
- Advice for before, during and after an emergency.
- Finding accessible shelters during an evacuation
- Setting up an emergency transportation plan and evacuating the area by vehicle
- Evacuating from upper floors.
- Writing a personal emergency evacuation plan (PEEP).
- Planning for your service animals or pets.
- Sheltering at home
“Your Power Just Went Out. Now What?” contains:
- Detailed suggestions for creating a backup power plan
- Link to a first-person account from New Mobility Editor-in-Chief Ian Ruder’s experience surviving an unexpected arctic blast.
- Vetted guides to specific checklists for life support devices and oxygen users
“How to Build Emergency Preparedness Go-Bags and Stay-at-Home Kits” Topics include:
- Securing enough medicines and medical supplies.
- Wheelchair supply checklist.
- Preparing your vehicle for an emergency.
- Access to additional resources from organizations like Ready.gov and the Red Cross.
- Building kits for your service animals or pets.
United Spinal Association’s Ready to Roll program, in partnership with the Neilsen Foundation, provides disaster relief grants for wheelchair users. To learn if you qualify, contact our Resource Center.
