Including AT Reuse Resources in Emergency Planning and

Response

Amy S. GoldmanPennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology

September 1, 2015

Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Education, Research and Service

VISION

A society where all people are valued and respected, and where all people have the knowledge, opportunity and power to improve their lives and the lives of others.

MISSIONThe Institute on Disabilities leads by example, creating connections and promoting networks within and among communities so that people

with disabilities are recognized as integral to

the fabric of community life.

Getting Involved in Emergency Management for People with AFN

• Learn about the EM system and the “players” in your state

• Learn who does what (and where the funding comes from)

• Promote what you can bring to the table; embed AT in discussions about what you know about people with disabilities

• Give away some training and technical assistance

• Create synergy with the work you already do; leverage your existing relationships

• Build a reputation/credibility

In PA…• Developed a good relationship with ODIC in

Region III (although there have been several personnel changes) – get the “inside scoop” and introductions to other players.

• Relationships with people in the FEMA regional office led to relationships to other key players over time, e.g. the leadership in Philadelphia OEM

• Through subcontracted work with CPREP, developed a relationship with PA DOH

Learn about the EM system and the “players” in your state

• Connect with the ODIC representative in your region (Regional; federal).

• Check out your state’s EMA.

• What state agencies are responsible for which Emergency Support Function (ESF) – learn what these are!

• What other organizations have key roles in federal, state, and local planning and response (American Red Cross, regional planning groups, VOADs)?

Learn about the EM “Systems” – Federal, State, and Local Disasters/Emergencies• AT-related activities are most likely under

Emergency Support Function #6: Mass Care, Emergency Assistance, Temporary Housing, and Human Services

• AT for inclusive shelters (“mass care”)

• AT for communication in Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs)

• AT to assist individuals who have lost/damaged AT as a result of the emergency/disaster – or who have new needs

• Get in their Rolodex…before the emergency or disaster

What We Learned

• Emergency managers – for the most part – understand their obligation to plan for the whole community.

• Emergency managers are MOTIVATED to engage people with AFN in planning.

• Emergency managers don’t know how to do this.

• Emergency managers don’t know what “AT” is.

• Emergency managers have problems figuring out how to accommodate people with disabilities in the planning process ($$)

Learn who does what (and where the funding comes from)

• We haven’t figured out (yet) how to be included in the state’s plans for using federal dollars through FEMA.

• We learned that the DOH uses funds that “start” with the CDC. This has funded work we have done for the DOH for several years.

• Inclusive emergency planning is a priority for the PA DD Council.

Give away some training and technical assistance

• Web accessibility (Philadelphia OEM)

• Technical assistance (Southeastern PA Task force on People with AFN)

• Training (US Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate)

Create synergy from the work you already do/have done

• Developing statewide reuse resources (AT Act; private foundation funding) to build a reuse network (that can also participate in emergency response)

• Emergency Preparedness – Accessible Sheltering and AT Webinars (Mid-Atlantic ADA Information Center)

Develop a reputation/credibility• Follow up – follow through

• Become an active member in local/regional/statewide EM groups (e.g. Prioli – SEPA Task Force; Goldman – AUCD SIG)

• Become an advocate for preparedness in all contexts!

• Freely disseminate your products and (print) information

• House your resources on your website and disseminate the link through social media

Our Funded AT/DME Work:

PA DD Council• PA Preparedness Planner (thanks, DE!)

• “State of the State Inclusive Planning” Report

• Partners in Preparedness: Training people with ID/DD and other disabilities to have a seat at the table; training emergency managers in “Disability 101”

• Webinar trainings on personal preparedness (15-16)

• AT/AT reuse thread embedded in all of the above

Our Funded AT/DME Work: PA Department of Health

• Online curriculum for PIOs

• DME/AT “Playbook”

• Tabletop Exercise

• Reviewing Municipalities’ Preparedness Plans: Access and Functional Needs

Checklist (15-16)

AT/AT reuse thread embedded in all of the above

Our Funded AT/DME Work: Other Small Grants and Contracts

• LINK (ADRC): Preparedness Training for Seniors

• Philadelphia Department of Health: Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs

• PA DOH: Preparedness Training for Transitioning Youth and their Families

AT/AT reuse thread embedded in all of the above

Reminders/Considerations

• If an individual has received and has ownership of a (reused) device, s/he will not be eligible for funding (federally). Implications: “long-term loan” vs. ownership of reused devices provided to survivors

• Ability to take AT provided in the shelter to transitional housing or other housing arrangements (including return home) may be constrained by policy/practice/funding.

Institute on Disabilities at Temple University1755 N 13th StreetStudent Center, Room 411SPhiladelphia, PA 19122

Tel: 215-204-1356 Fax: 215-204-6336Email: IOD@temple.eduWeb: www.disabilities.temple.edu

MY contact information:Tel: 215-204-3862Email: amy.goldman@temple.edu