
Emergencies can happen at a moment's notice. Mobility, hearing, learning, or seeing disabilities can create specific needs that individuals need to address to be able to respond to an emergency. We urge everyone to become “Red Cross Ready” for any urgent situation, which means assembling a survival kit, making an emergency plan, and being informed. In addition, people with disabilities, and their caregivers, may benefit from the tips below about managing communications, equipment, service animals, pets and home hazards.
Co-authored by the American Red Cross and Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.
Emergencies and disasters can unfold in unpredictable ways, and even carefully made plans may need to adapt to changing circumstances. That’s why it’s so important to arrange a back-up solution for the most critical parts of your emergency plan.
Your first option and plan should always be to go to family or friends first; they can accommodate you, your service animal and pets, and help you be most comfortable in a stressful situation. Emergency public shelters can provide a safe place to stay and meals while you are there, but not all shelters provide personal health care or assistance with activities of daily living. If you require the care of a personal attendant and choose to go to a shelter, bring the attendant with you.
Our brochure Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs helps you and your family plan ahead before a disaster.
Find our Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play »
Aplicación de Emergencias - ahora disponible en español » también!
Help people affected by disasters big and small.