Information for
Personal Assistants
Emergencies can happen at a moment's notice. Know your plans
ahead of time.
Disability/Special Need
|
Additional Steps
|
| Visually impaired |
May be extremely reluctant to leave familiar
surroundings when the request for evacuation 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. |
| Hearing impaired |
May need to make special arrangements to receive
warnings. |
| Mobility impaired |
May need special assistance to get to a shelter. |
| Single working parent |
May need help to plan for disasters and emergencies. |
| Non-English speaking persons |
May need assistance planning for and responding to
emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep
people informed. |
| People without vehicles |
May need to make arrangements for transportation. |
| People with special dietary needs |
Should take special precautions to have an adequate
emergency food supply. |
| People with medical conditions |
Should know the location and availability of more
than one facility if dependent on a dialysis machine or other
life-sustaining equipment or treatment. |
| People with mental retardation |
May need help responding to emergencies and getting
to a shelter. |
|
People with dementia |
Should be registered in the
Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return Program |
EMERGENCY RESOURCE KITS
WCICIL
has a limited amount of kits now available. Call (217) 223 - 0400
for details. |
If you or someone close to you has a disability or a
special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself
and your family in an emergency. A
record
number 124 tornadoes
tore through Illinois in 2006. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency
says most tornadoes hit between
April and June.
Illinois also had a
5.2 - magnitude Earthquake on
April 18th, 2008
If you have special needs: Find out
about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register
with the office of emergency services or the local fire department for
assistance so needed help can be provided.
Check for hazards in the home
During and right after a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause
injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause fire is a
home hazard. Check for items such as bookcases, hanging pictures, or
overhead lights that could fall in an earthquake or a flood and block an
escape path.
Be ready to evacuate
Have a plan for getting out of your home or building (ask your family or
friends for assistance, if necessary). Also, plan two evacuation routes
because some roads may be closed or blocked in a disaster.
 | Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to
aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows
how to operate necessary equipment.
|
| Discuss your needs with your employer.
|
| If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise
building, have an escape chair.
|
| If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark
accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the
building.
|
| Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries,
oxygen, catheters, medication, prescriptions, food for service animals,
and any other items you might need.
|
| Be sure to make provisions for medications that require
refrigeration.
|
| Keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices you
require.
|
| Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify your disability.
|
| 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. |
|
