“All levels of government experienced systemic failures in their efforts to respond to the needs of the disability and aging populations following Hurricane Katrina.”
“Even a medical needs shelter is a place of last resort. Individuals must be advised about how to make decisions regarding their own safety, including planning for evacuation.”
“All people should have a plan in place to shelter with friends and family.” — (Above are statements from The Report on Special Needs Assessment for Katrina Evacuees Project, carried out by the National Organization on Disability.)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that state and local government emergency preparedness and response programs be accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. It is logical and critical that people who are at a disadvantage and may not be ambulatory should be able to receive equal or greater assistance than those who are fully able-bodied. Planning and funding may be in place, and the theoretical portion of what should happen is described in great detail and geared to state-of-the-art readiness. But the sad truth is that waiting for your local agencies to come to your aid is, at best, a bad idea and, at worst, can cost you your life. It is your responsibility to prepare.
Natural disasters and the accompanying emergencies are, by definition, unpredictable. How often we hear that the effects of storm were totally underestimated and that the devastation caused by its power was much greater than could have been imagined. Earth tremors or floods (or simply a significant change in temperatures) can create mudslides; cave in streets; create sink holes; or take out bridges and roads, entire river banks, and flood plains, along with the homes that are built upon them.
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