Emergency Kit for the Disabled

If you live with a disability, you know that recommendations made for other people may not always be sufficient for your specific needs. If you or a member of your family has special needs, it pays to be prepared for a disaster situation before need escalates into life or death emergency. In addition to your basic emergency kit items, you’ll want to include items that cater to your situation.

Supplies for an Emergency Kit for the Disabled

Needs differ based on varying conditions, so you should always consult with your medical professional regarding what items to include in an emergency kit. Planning ahead for emergencies helps to ensure that the most important equipment has been stocked and that you have all the supplies you need to survive away from home for several days to a week. In general, however, consider the following:

• Extra batteries and battery chargers for battery operated devices such as motorized wheelchairs, hearing aids, and assistance technology
• Supply of extra prescription medication, insulin, oxygen, or other life-sustaining medical treatments
• A manual wheelchair in case your battery powered one becomes unusable
• Medical alert tags
• Thumb drive containing important medical information
• List of medications, allergies, health history, contact physician and insurance information
• List of local assistance organizations that could offer help during an emergency
• Supplies for your service animal if you have one

Other Disaster Survival Information for the Disabled

With your emergency kit in place, your next priority should be making sure those around you know where to go for help if you become ill or injured and can’t communicate your needs. Keep names and contact numbers of family, friends, support group members, and medical professionals with you at all times. Identify the two or three nearest medical treatment facilities and keep their contact information with you as well, especially if you receive life-sustaining treatment such as dialysis. If you need wheelchair accessible transportation in the event of an evacuation, plan ahead by contacting a disability assistance service who can help you develop a safety procedure for emergencies. Finally, develop a comprehensive action plan for ensuring that no matter where you are, you have access to the people and supplies necessary to maintain your health and safety. You may need to write down your plan and receive a doctor’s approval so that you can communicate your needs effectively to rescue workers if necessary.