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INCLUSIVE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND MASS GATHERINGS

Prepared by : Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente

Betzaida Ramos, Executive Director

December 2, 2022

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  • “Disasters are ALWAYS inclusive. The response and the recovery are not, … unless we plan for it.”

June Isaacson Kales, MSW, Home Family Center for Disability and Health Policy at Western University of the Health Sciences.

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WHY SHOULD WE PLAN TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

  • In Puerto Rico, an estimate of 20% of the population has a disability and an additional 15% are senior citizens. This represents about 1/3 of our population.
  • People with disabilities are productive human beings that want to be included in every aspect of daily living.
  • They can be as independent as society allows them to be if we eliminate structural and attitudinal barriers.

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According to the United Nations, children and people with disabilities are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer injury or die in a disaster, due to the lack of planning, lack of accessibility and inadequate shelters.

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KNOWING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

  • Different types of disabilities exist:
    • Physical
    • Mental/Emotional
    • Cognitive
    • Sensory: Auditive, Visual
    • Multiple
  • Not all disabilities are visible

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AREAS WHERE EMERGENCY PLANNING TYPICALLY FAIL

  • The warnings and notifications prior to the emergency
  • Evacuation processes
  • Registries
  • Management and administration of shelters
  • Access to health services
  • Access to medical equipment
  • Barriers in communication
  • Lack of effective planning in home return

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CONSEQUENCES OF HURRICANE MARIA IN PUERTO RICO

  • The New England Journal of Medicine, published on May 29, 2018, a study from Harvard University, “Mortality in Puerto Rico After Hurricane María” and found:
  • An estimated death rate, from consequences due to Hurricane Maria, of 4,600 people.
  • We can reasonably conclude that the majority of these cases were people with disabilities, the majority with chronic health conditions and many which fall into the legal definition of a person with disability.
  • The interruption in medical care and services was the main cause for the mortality rate in the months following the hurricane.
  • The most frequent problems reported were the shortage of medication and the need for assistive or respiratory equipment dependent on electricity.

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IMPACT OF LACK OF ENERGY ON PWDs

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INTERSECTIONALITY OF EMERGENCY PLANNING AND MASS GATHERINGS

  • Notifications- How are you getting your messaging across? Are your outreach materials accessible?
  • Evacuations-Do you have an evacuation procedure for people with mobility issues (Ex. Evac chairs for multifloor venues)? How will you communicate your evacuation processes to people with diverse disabilities (deaf, blind, cognitive)?
  • In your event planning, are you incorporating PWDs on your planning team?

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INTERSECTIONALITY OF EMERGENCY PLANNING AND MASS GATHERINGS

  • If offering transportation services, are they accessible to people with mobility issues?
  • Are your facilities completely accessible, physically and operationally (Water fountains, porta potties, clear open spaces for wheelchairs and blind, etc.).
  • Is your venue sufficiently spaced for the prevention of COVID?

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INTERSECTIONALITY OF EMERGENCY PLANNING AND MASS GATHERINGS

  • Are the health services planned accessible to all? How will health personnel communicate with people with diverse disabilities?
  • Are there relief areas for service animals?
  • Do you have medical equipment available for use in case of an emergency (Ex. wheelchairs, oxygen, blood pressure monitors).

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Every individual has a right to enjoy all aspects of community living. It’s our RESPONSIBILITY to ensure their access and INCLUSION.

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QUESTIONS