CPD: Emergency Preparedness Toolkit

Emergency preparedness communications folder

This folder was designed as a resource for health care providers and people with disabilities to address communication and access barriers. Accessibility applies to both communication and physical access. The folder includes several communication tools and information on reasonable accommodations in a health care setting. These tools DO NOT substitute for accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are interested in Council members presenting on the Emergency Preparedness Communications Folder, reasonable accommodations, or disability etiquette at your meeting, conference, or other community meeting/event, contact DHS staff support person, Ashley Baker at Ashley.Baker@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

• About the Emergency Preparedness Communications Folder and Uses (PDF)
• Know Your Rights (PDF)
  • There are federal and state laws that protect people's civil rights and prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
• ADA National Network Health Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF)
  • The ADA requires that health care entities provide full and equal access for people with disabilities.
• Visual Communications Too; (PDF) (updated May 2021)
  • The Visual Communications Tool is for quick and easy communication with people during emergencies. This tool can be used to tell others what you need. They can also use the card to tell you what is going on. This tool does not substitute for accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing COVID-19 Communications Card P-02629 (PDF) 
  • The COVID-19 Communications Card is a tool to help bridge communication between medical personnel and people who are Deaf or hard of hearing when discussing COVID-19.

Emergency Preparedness Toolkit, tools, and resources

The Emergency Preparedness Toolkit includes information about evacuation and escape planning, including evacuation procedures and devices. It also includes all the tools and resources listed individually below.

• Be Prepared, Have a Plan: Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Persons with Disabilities Manual (PDF) (updated May 2021)
• Emergency Preparedness Toolkit Smart Phone Application 
• General Checklist (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Disability Checklist (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Car Checklist (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Important Documents Checklist (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Reminder Tags (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Toolkit Postcard (PDF) (updated May 2019)
• Medical Emergency Wallet Card (PDF) (updated March 2021)
  • Fill out the information on the wallet card that applies to you. For medication, include dosage, frequency, and specific time you take medication each day. Keep your wallet card with you at all times in your wallet or purse.
• Family Emergency Planning Form (PDF) (updated March 2021)
  • The Family Emergency Planning Form is for everyone in your home. Have a family meeting to talk about disasters. Fill out this form together. When you have finished completing this form, make extra copies. Put a copy in your go bag. Everyone in your home should also have one. Put a copy near your phone or on your refrigerator. It should be easy to find.
• Visual Communications Tool (PDF)l (updated May 2021)
  • The Visual Communications Tool is for quick and easy communication with people during emergencies. This tool can be used to tell others what you need. They can also use the card to tell you what is going on. This tool DOES NOT substitute for accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan Form (PDF) (updated May 2019)
  • Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan using the How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan form. Everyone in the household must understand the escape plan.
• Medical Information and Emergency Health Care Plan (PDF) (updated March 2021)
  • This form communicates pertinent medical information and preferences to emergency responders or other people who could assist you during an emergency or natural disaster.
• Emergency Preparedness Apps (for Phones and Tablets) and Resource Apps for Volunteers, Emergency Responders, and People with Disabilities (PDF)
  • This list of apps is meant to be a resource and is not an endorsement of these apps. This is also not an all-inclusive list, but a compilation of information on apps that may be helpful in emergency situations.

Emergency preparedness planning apps

The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Emergency Preparedness Toolkit serves as a resource tool providing all people, particularly those individuals with physical or other disabilities, emergency preparedness information including tips, checklists, wallet card, visual communications tool, and other resources to be prepared and have a plan for emergencies and natural disasters.

The app includes all the forms and checklists from the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit in a fillable format, which can be saved to a smart device or sent to a printer.

The Android version of the Emergency Preparedness Planning app is now available in the Google Play app store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appwidhsepapp.wpapp.

The Apple version of the Emergency Planning app is now available in the Apple app store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emergency-preparedness-toolkit/id1590957385.

Toolkit resources in other formats

Audio

The Emergency Preparedness Toolkit audio files
*Please note: Pages 19 through 23 are not currently available. Information referenced on these pages can be found at Texas A&M University's Tips for First Responders (PDF).

Braille

A limited number of copies of the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit are available in Braille. For more information on obtaining a copy, contact the interim DHS staff support person, Ashley Baker at Ashley.Baker@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Toolkit resources in other languages

Emergency Preparedness Toolkit in Spanish

• Manual Para La Preparación Y Manejo De Emergencias De Personas Con Impedimentos (PDF)
  • Disclaimer: this Emergency Preparedness Toolkit Manual was adapted by MAVI specifically for use in Puerto Rico, but does contain all information in the original English version.
• Lista De Cotejo General (PDF)
• Lista De Cotejo Para Personas Con Discapacidades (PDF)
• Lista De Cotejo Para El Autp (PDF)
• Documentos Importantes (PDF)
• Tarjeta Datos Médicos Para Billetera (PDF)
• Formulario De Planificación Familiar Para Emergencias (PDF)
• Herramienta De Comunicación Visual (PDF)
• Como Preparar Un Plan De Escape En Caso De Incendios Para La Casa (PDF)
• Información Médica E Información Plan Médico (PDF)
• Formulario De Información De Emergencias Para Niños Con Necesidades Especiales (PDF)

*Toolkit resources listed above were translated into Spanish using the May 2018 version of the toolkit.

Emergency preparedness presentations

CPD Emergency Preparedness Toolkit - Outreach Presentation (PDF) – updated August 2022

About the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit

This toolkit is a product of years of work by past and present members of the Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities. After witnessing what happened to people with physical disabilities in the wake of hurricanes Rita and Katrina, the Council knew more work needed to be done to ensure the safety and protect the lives of people, especially those with physical disabilities, before and during emergencies and natural disasters.

Emergency Preparedness Toolkit Press Release - September 5, 2017 - Press Release (PDF)

The Emergency Preparedness Toolkit was originally developed by the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf in partnership with the Wisconsin Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities expresses gratitude to the Association for allowing them to utilize these materials and to modify them to address the needs of people with physical and other disabilities.

The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Emergency Preparedness Toolkit serves as a resource tool providing all people, particularly those individuals with physical or other disabilities, emergency preparedness information including tips, checklists, wallet card, visual communications tool, and other resources to be prepared and have a plan for emergencies and natural disasters.

If you would like to request hard copies of materials to be mailed to you, please compete the following request form.
Disclosure: The Council on Physical Disabilities (CPD) Emergency Preparedness Toolkit and materials cannot be mailed to P.O. Boxes.

If you are interested in Council members presenting on the Emergency Preparedness Toolkit at your meeting, conference, or other community meeting/event, please contact the DHS staff support person, Ashley Baker at Ashley.Baker@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

The Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities and the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages, losses, or expenses arising in connection with your use of or inability to use the this toolkit, or in connection with any failure of acts related to disaster or emergency preparedness.