Disability Preparedness Resource Center

Deepwater Horizon Information
Since the explosion and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon off shore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, in collaboration with FEMA and other members of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, has been monitoring response activities with a particular focus on assuring that all impacted residents have equal access to disaster information and the claims process. If seeking assistance and/or information related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and related response activities, please visit: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/daip_en.portal. At this site, you will be able to access information for individuals & families, businesses, and communities.

Information on the H1N1 Flu:
Although reported cases of H1N1 influenza within the United States have dropped dramatically over the last several weeks, we are still in a pandemic, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The resources below contain useful information regarding the H1N1 virus. We encourage you to share this information with your partners and stakeholders.

• The CDC page containing the latest information about H1N1 Flu, including activities currently underway to deal with the situation, daily updates on affected areas and numbers of cases, and precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. You may also contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) English/Spanish TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov.
• The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) has compiled a reference page to websites and resources on H1N1, seasonal flu, vaccines, antivirals and diagnostics. This page is available at: http://www.aahd.us/page.php?pname=publications/newsletters/2009/fall/inthenews1 and will be updated and modified on a regular basis.
• Guidance on pandemic influenza planning for special needs populations, At-Risk Populations and Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidance for State, Territorial, Tribal, and Local Health Departments, can be found at: http://www.astho.org/Programs/Infectious-Disease/At-Risk-Populations/At-Risk-Pop-and-Pandemic-Influenza-Planning-Guidance/.

This disability preparedness web site provides practical information on how people with and without disabilities can prepare for an emergency. It also provides information for family members of, and service providers to, people with disabilities. In addition, this site includes information for emergency planners and first responders to help them to better prepare for serving persons with disabilities. Get started by learning what is Emergency Preparedness?

Personal Preparedness Planning
Access information and guidance in developing your plan of action if faced with an emergency or disaster.

Emergency Managers, Responders, Service & Care Providers
Access resources for emergency managers, responders and service and care providers regarding their role in ensuring the safety and security of people with disabilities.

Get Involved in Your Community
Learn how you can best get involved in your community and a tap into guidance regarding community outreach and getting key players involved in disability preparedness efforts at the community level.

Ready.gov
Provides an overview on emergency preparedness for individuals and businesses.