Functional Needs Support Services Disaster Response

Functional Needs Support Services Disaster Response Mid-Atlantic ADA Conference September 14, 2012

Federal Laws Prohibiting Discrimination of Emergency Programs Based on Disability

. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 . Stafford Act of 1988 . Rehabilitation Act of 1973 . Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988 . Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 . Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (EHA) of 1975 . Telecommunications Act of 1996

Defining FNSS Services that enable people to maintain their usual level of independence in general population shelters. These services include:

. Reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures . Provisions for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) . Provisions for Consumable Medical Supplies (CMS) . Provision for Personal Assistance Services (PAS) . Provision for equal access communication . Other goods and services as needed Planning

Planning for the Whole Community Integrating and Coordinating the Access and Functional Needs of Children and Adults with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery; Before, During and After a Disaster.

A “Whole Community” Approach

. Understanding and meeting the true needs of the entire affected community. . Engaging all aspects of the community (public, private, and civic) in both defining those needs and devising ways to meet them. . Leveraging the skills and resources of existing support systems . Strengthening the assets, institutions, and social processes that work well in communities on a daily basis to improve resilience and emergency management outcomes.

Planning Recommendations Advance Planning: • Know demographics • Create local resource lists for various supplies • Develop relationships with agencies providing services to those with access and functional needs • Prepare for serving those with functional and access needs e.g. higher volunteer staff ratios, training, cross-train MRC volunteer Rights & Responsibilities The Americans with Disability Act and other laws apply to: . Preparation . Notification . Evacuation and transportation . Sheltering . First aid and medical services . Temporary lodging and housing . Transition back to the community . Other emergency- and disaster-related programs, services, and activities

Environment During Disasters

• Pre-existing conditions, both physical and psychological, are frequently exacerbated during times of extreme stress for some if not addressed immediately can become critical

• Previously healthy individuals may have new medical/mental health needs due to the disaster

• People do not always “know” what they will need in the shelter—they may be in shock or otherwise distracted because of the disaster

• Individuals may come to the shelter without assistive technology, medications, durable medical equipment, need for effective communication – this leads to people felling vulnerable, dependent and at increased risk for injury

Shelter Sheltering disaster victims is one of the core services provided by the American Red Cross in most disasters. People count on the Red Cross to provide a safe place for those impacted by disasters and emergencies.

Sheltering Objectives • Having sound working knowledge of the accessibility and nondiscrimination requirements applicable under Federal disability rights laws

• Being familiar with the demographics of the population of people with disabilities who live in our community

• Involving people with different types of disabilities in identifying the communication and transportation needs, accommodations, support systems, equipment, services, and supplies that residents and visitors with disabilities will need during an emergency

• Identifying existing and developing new resources within the community that meet the needs of residents and visitors with disabilities during emergencies

• Risk and Host planning for sheltering a displaced population based on current studies, historical and behavioral data Best Practices Tool for Estimating FNSS-Related Needs – State of Florida Mission: The vision of the NCR Access and Functional Needs Committee is to be an inclusive group of organizations and individuals committed to the safety and security of those with access and functional needs

Emergency Management Driven - Whole Community Involvement - Assistive Technologies Partner Open House - Video Series – Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities

Access and Functional Needs Committee – Aurora Colorado FAST Teams

. FAST will help assess people with access and functional needs and assist them by helping them get what they need to stay in a general population shelter.

. FAST will help distinguish people who have access and functional needs from those who have medical needs.

Alabama Interagency Response Coordinating Committee . Formed two days after the tornadoes

. Daily conference calls during response

. 60 members including state and nonprofit agencies who serve people with disabilities and chronic illness, individual advocates, university faculty and students . Integral participation by FEMA, American Red Cross & HUD The Alabama Emergency Response Coordinating Committee • American Red Cross • FEMA – Office of Disability and Inclusion • HUD • Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services • Alabama VOAD • Alabama Children’s Rehabilitation Service • Alabama Department of Mental Health • Alabama Institute of Deaf and Blind • Alabama Department of Education • University of Alabama at Birmingham • Alabama Emergency Management Agency • State legislative representatives • Governor’s Office on Disability The Alabama Emergency Response Coordinating Committee Alabama Disability Advocacy Network Alabama Disability Advocacy Program Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities Office of the Mayor – City of Birmingham Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham Arc of Alabama Alabama Head Injury Foundation United Way Lakeshore Foundation Independent Living Resource Center United Cerebral Palsy Positive Maturity Local broadcast and social media Mississippi Response . Two events – the tornadoes and the flood . Using a taskforce model combined ESF 6 and ESF 8 to develop a sheltering plan . Developed a Co-location model that would address the many needs and requirements . Leveraged State and local community resources that support individuals with Access and functional needs Pennsylvania Response . Independence: Worked with disability leaders to develop a DME loaner project . Equal Access: Provided assistive technology in the Disaster Recovery Centers . Leveraging Resources: In collaboration with ODHH, developed videos in ASL, open caption and narrated English . Utilizing Technology Provided VRI and VRS

Response Recommendations • Ensure a registration process that assesses client needs • Plan for additional shelter registrars • Plan for prioritization, waiting areas, a system to avoid gridlock and long lines • Consider having Disaster Health Services (HS) and/or Disaster Mental Health (MH) in a secondary area away from registration desk • Allow clients to self-present once settled into the shelter

Response Recommendations • Keep HS and MH close to each other; many of the clients are in need of both services • Consider creating a request log to track requests, who you spoke with, outcomes; use this to expand resource lists • Educate all staff and volunteers on how they can help individuals with functional needs within the shelter

Contact Information Katherine Galifianakis, Director, Mass Care – American Red Cross [email protected] 202-303-5527