Emergency Preparedness for Families Navigating Disability
It is crucial for families and communities to think about the needs of people with disabilities in emergency planning and response. And families can and should do their own planning, thinking about the unique needs that each family member has, including children with disabilities.
Here are resources we have created or curated for you:
Thank you to the Oregon Health Authority for their support in creating these resources.
Emergency Preparedness Online Training
What would you do if an emergency happened in your community tomorrow? Would your family be ready to respond in a way that keeps everyone safe, including your child with a disability?
Emergencies take us by surprise, but with a good plan, your family can be ready. In this course, you’ll learn how to find what types of emergencies are most likely to happen in your area. You'll think about your child’s specific needs and then learn how to use a simple tool called the Integrated Supports Star to make a plan that fits your family.
Step by step, you’ll practice with real-life examples, connect with local resources, and build the skills you need to keep your child safe and supported—no matter what happens.
Get Ready Storybooks in English
-

Fire
A story to help children with disabilities know what to do in a house fire.
Read the book -

Earthquake
A story to help children with disabilities know what to do when the ground shakes.
Read the book. -

Flood
A story to help children with disabilities know what to do in a flood.
Read the book.
Storybooks in Other Languages
-

Spanish | Español
Partner Resources on Emergency Preparedness
-
Major Hazards in Oregon
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has information on most major hazards in Oregon. Check local emergency management websites for contacts, hazard maps, alerts, and community resources.
-
Communication Passport
Communication Passport for Accidents and Emergencies
-
Ready Now! Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for People with Disabilities
Tool Kit (Ready Now!) | Oregon Office on Disability and Health((OODH) | University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)
-
"What Emergencies Might You Expect" from Ready Now!
(Screen reader friendly version | Fillable form version)
This resource is from the Ready Now! Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit for People with Disabilities
-
"Needs Assessment Tool" from Ready Now!
Screen reader friendly version | Fillable form version) from Ready Now!
Helps you think through your child’s unique needs, what might be hard in different emergencies, and what supports would make things easier. -
Checklist for Personal Emergency Preparedness
A checklist to see if you are ready for common emergencies from Ready Now!
-
Social Stories for Emergencies
Central Oregon Disability Support Network (CODSN) has several social stories for emergencies.
-
Communication Boards and Cards
Emergency and disaster preparedness communication boards and picture card sets from USAAC.

