For elderly and/or people with disabilities:

• Plan how you will contact your family member, neighbors, and friends
• Let people in your support network know of your emergency plans. Tell them where you keep your emergency supplies. They may be able to assist you in ensuring that your assistive devices will go with you if you have to evacuate your home.
• Keep extra batteries and a spare charger for hearing aids, personal assistive listening devices, and other durable medical equipment.
• Keep records of where you got your medical assistive devices and exact types of batteries.Many new cell phones and smart phones have an alerting capability that includes specific sounds and vibrations that can be set to signal users of an emergency.
• Write an explanation of your needs in advance. If you need an assistive device or an interpreter, write it down. For example: “I use American Sign Language, I have a hearing loss and I need an interpreter, I need my (name of device).”
• Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels. Keep a list of your emergency supplies on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
• Have an extra mobility cane, if used.
• Consider carrying a laminated personal communication board, if you might need assistance being understood. This could be one or several 3”x5” cards containing written messages.
• If possible, stock extra over the counter and prescription medicine, oxygen, insulin, catheters, or other medical supplies you use.
• Make copies of medical prescriptions, doctor’s orders and the style and serial numbers of the support devices you use.
• Ask your doctor about storing prescription medications such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin and other prescription drugs.

For more information or to watch a preparedness video, visit: www.ready.gov/disability

[logos on screen for the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and Deaf Link ]