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American
Red Cross
Disaster Services
Disaster
Preparedness for People With Disabilities
COMPLETING
A PERSONAL ASSESSMENT
You
should decide what you will be able to do for yourself
and what assistance you may need before, during, and
after a disaster. This will be based on the environment
after the disaster, your capabilities, and your limitations.
To complete a personal assessment, make a list of your
personal needs and your resources for meeting them in
a disaster environment. Consider the following information
as you make your personal assessment.
Think
about the following questions and note your answers
in writing or record them on a tape cassette that you
will share with your network. These answers should describe
both your physical capabilities right now and the assistance
you will need during the time that the disaster disrupts
your normal routine. Base your plan on your lowest anticipated
level of functioning.
Daily
Living
- Personal
Care Do you need assistance with
personal care, such as bathing and grooming?
Do you use adaptive equipment to help you get
dressed?
My
Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Water
Service
What will you do if water service is cut off
for several days, or if you are unable to heat
water?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Personal
Care Equipment
Do you use a shower chair, tub-transfer bench,
or other similar equipment?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Adaptive
Feeding Devices Do you use special
utensils that help you prepare or eat food independently?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Electricity-Dependent
Equipment How will you continue
to use equipment that runs on electricity, such
as dialysis, electrical lifts, etc.?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
Getting
Around
- Disaster
Debris
How will you cope with the debris in your home
following
the disaster?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Transportation
Do you need a specially-equipped vehicle or
accessible transportation?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Errands
Do you need to get groceries, medications, and
medical supplies? Think about what you will
do if you depend on only one person to shop
or run errands for you. What if your assistant
cannot reach you because roads are blocked or
because the disaster has affected him or her
as well?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
Evacuating
- Building
Evacuation
Do you need help to leave your home or office?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Building
Exits
If the elevator is not working or cannot be
used, are there other exits? (Include using
a window as an alternate escape.)
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Getting
Help
How will you call for the help you will need
to leave the building?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Mobility
Aids
What will you do if you cannot find your mobility
aids, or cannot find or use equipment necessary
for your service animal?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Ramp
Access
What will you do if your ramps are shaken loose
or become separated from the building?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
- Service
Animals/Pets
Will you be able to care for your animal (provide
food, shelter, veterinary attention, etc.) during
and after a disaster? Do you have another caregiver
for your animal if you are unable to meet its
needs?
My Capabilities Today:
Assistance I Need Because of Disaster:
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Creating
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Disaster Preparation >
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