Disaster Strikes Fast — Here’s How People with Disabilities Can Stay Safe

Tornado season is in full force, with nearly 70% of all tornadoes occurring between March and June. Kansas alone saw 76 tornadoes last year—almost double the previous year. With severe weather becoming more unpredictable, disaster preparedness is more important than ever.

For people with disabilities, the risks during natural disasters are even greater. Studies show that disabled individuals face higher rates of injury, displacement, and lack of access to emergency services in disasters.  

“Despite efforts by the disability community, disaster planning often excludes people with disabilities, and emergency shelters are frequently not accessible to those using wheelchairs,” said Jean Hall, a University of Kansas researcher and director of the KU Research & Training Center on Independent Living at the KU Life Span Institute.

To help address these challenges, the KU Research & Training Center on Independent Living at the KU Life Span Institute has developed practical guidance to help people with disabilities prepare emergency kits, secure essential supplies, and create an action plan.

Disaster checklist

Here’s what you need to know about preparing for an emergency—including a must-have checklist of food, medical supplies, and important documents.

Seven-Day Supply of Non-Perishable Food

One way to be prepared is to gather an emergency kit with a week’s supply of non-perishable food and other important items. Make sure to rotate nonperishable foods annually. Items could include:

• Ready-to-eat canned items
• Protein and fruit bars
• Dry cereal and granola
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Crackers
• Canned or boxed juices
• Canned or jarred baby food/formula
• Canned or boxed milk or soy products
• Powdered milk
• Comfort foods such as cookies
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Sports drinks
• Instant coffee and tea
• Other boxed foods needing only water or milk
• Staples: Sugar, honey, salt, and flour
• Other (for restricted or special diets)
• Pet food and litter

Emergency Supplies

Consider what you might need beyond food for several days that you could keep assembled for emergencies. You may already have many of these on hand:

• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person, per day)
• Fever medications for adults and children
• 14-day supply of prescription medications
• 10-day supply of antiviral prescription medication
• Vitamins
• Thermometer
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Medicine dropper
• Cough suppressants
• Surgical or HEPA mask (N95 and N100 respirators)
• Latex or non-latex gloves
• Cleaning agents, soap, and hand soap
• Liquid hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol-based)
• Household liquid chlorine bleach.  
• Paper tissues
• Toilet paper
• Feminine and other hygiene products.
• Toothpaste and denture solution
• Shaving supplies
• Manual can opener
• Extra durable medical equipment supplies
• Plastic bags
• Flashlight with extra batteries  
• Portable radio with extra batteries or crank radio
• Matches in waterproof container
• Whistle (to attract emergency personnel)
• Pack of cards or other small entertainment option
• Duct tape
• Cash and coins (ATMs may not be accessible)
• Sturdy shoes

Important Documents

Make copies of your important documents, seal them in freezer bags and place them in waterproof containers. Also check documents to ensure they are up-to-date. Documents could include:

• Identification and Social Security cards (to resume benefits)
• Family and friends' contact information
• Lists of medications
• Doctors' and pharmacists' contact information
• Bank account numbers
• Serial numbers/style for mobility and medical devices
• Health cards and medical alerts
• Birth certificate, immigration documents or guardianship decrees
• Medicaid/Medicare ID and other government assistance IDs or documentation
• Current Insurance information
• Eyeglasses and denture information

Additional Supplies for Certain Disabilities

Other supplies that may be important for people with certain disabilities are listed below:

Power

• For those who depend on power for equipment or refrigeration, consider a back-up power supply (generator, power inverters, charged batteries, adapter plug for vehicle lighter).
• For devices that use batteries, stock extra batteries.  

Hearing  

• Notebook and pen.
• Battery-operated lantern (for lip reading and sign language)
• Visual or sensory alerts
• Vibrating/strobe alarm clock
• Extra pager, TTY batteries, hearing aid, or implant batteries
• Pager/communication devices
• Portable, battery-powered television

Mobility  

• Manual chair for electric wheelchair users
• Pair of heavy-duty gloves for wheeling over debris.
• Shower chair and toilet riser
• Patch kit for flat tires and extra inner tubes
• Extra charged battery for a power wheelchair or scooter (ask vendor how to charge in emergency situations)
• Assistive devices for eating
• Backpack with smaller supplies on this list, to attach to chair  

Sight  

• Extra pair of glasses
• Extra supply of contact lenses and lens solution
• Extra cane tips or telescoping cane
• Portable radio with batteries

This information was developed from an article first published by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living. Find more advice for preparing for health emergencies in this article on The Prepared Lifestyle.