The report notes that people with disabilities frequently encounter barriers to physical plants, communications and programs in shelters and recovery centers, as well as difficulty accessing first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable payphone stations, portable toilets and temporary housing.
According to the report, many accessibility lessons learned during previous disasters are not incorporated in subsequent planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities. The report also notes that people with disabilities are left out of preparedness and planning activities.
The report recommends, among other things, that the Department of Homeland Security establish a disability access advisory group, in addition to the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness, made up of qualified people with disabilities and others with disability-specific disaster experience who meet regularly with senior officials to discuss issues and challenges.
To see the report, go to http://www.ncd.gov/.
