Portlight: Inclusive Disaster Strategies

https://goo.gl/H7uA8i

Our work over the past 10 days has included guidance and technical assistance to state and local emergency management and disability organizations for:

civil rights compliance
accessible alerts and warnings
accessible, actionable information for survivors who require information in alternate formats
evacuation
rescue
accessible transportation
finding medical help
coordination between stakeholders and FEMA
training and technical assistance on understanding how federal emergency response, recovery and mitigation works to optimize disability inclusion and coordination throughout all programs and services.
assisting individuals and organizations to through the FEMA registration process and begin to understand how navigate the various state and federal programs individuals may be eligible for
organizing donations, matches and delivery of durable medical equipment, assistive technology and disability related supplies
preventing unnecessary nursing home placement and tracking these placements as we learn about them- we are committed to doing all we can so no one gets lost or forgotten
providing guidance and technical assistance to address sign language interpreter denials
accessibility in temporary sheltering, including the Red Cross Disability Integration program
accessibility in transitional housing including the FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance program
restoration of special education services and child care for children with disabilitiesHere is a snapshot of some of our work in the past 10 days and our current efforts in TX and the states potentially impacted by Irma:
 
Our Hotline (800) 626-4959 has received 650 calls for immediate, urgent assistance for rescue, medical and disability assistance and other emergency needs. We have been able to resolve 77% of these calls.