Personal Preparedness
for AT Users
Webinar series brought to you by
the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) and the Washington Access Fund
Introductions
WATAP staffers:
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Samantha Murphy – Program Specialist
Gaby de Jongh – Training Coordinator and Assistive Technology
Specialist
About WATAP
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program
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Low cost and Free Services:
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Partnership with the Washington Access Fund
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Device Demonstrations
Device Lending
Reutilized Equipment
Public Awareness
AT Training
Technical Assistance
Alternative Financing
Housed at the Center for Technology & Disability Studies
program at the University of Washington
How WATAP can help
Recognizing functional needs
Informed decisions with AT purchases
Inclusive to Washington residents of all ages with any
disability
Services are available as many times as needed
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‘Part of preparation should be moving people from the
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liability side of the ledger to the asset side – minimizing
the problems that they are going to encounter.’
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Marcie Roth, Director Office of Disability Integration &
Coordination/ FEMA
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Why Prepare?
Emergencies and disaster happen with little to no
warning, preparation means personal empowerment.
Common emergencies include fires and power
outages which can be the result of accidents,
earthquakes, snow or ice storms and high winds.
Some emergencies give you time to prepare and
make provisions but most require that you already
have a plan and provisions in place.
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How and when do we start to talk about
the planning process?
Now is always the best time to start planning and there
are simple tools to help the discussion.
If you are a service provider and work with AT users,
incorporate personal preparedness into regular planning
meetings.
If you are an AT user, have a conversation with a support
person.
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The Basics: beyond the buddy system
Establish a close network of relatives and friends
Make sure helpers know where to find the disaster-supply
kit
Train people how to charge your AT and how to help you
get it set up.
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The Basics: Creating a kit
A Ready Kit is a supply of items that you will need if you
should have to shelter in place or rely on your own
resources for a few days.
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This might include back up generators, emergency blankets,
candles and other items for remaining in place
A Go Bag has fewer items, but they are the essential ones
to take with you if you must evacuate quickly.
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Your Go Bag can be part of your Ready Kit and easily grabbed
for quick departure.
The Basics: Creating a kit
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3-day supply of water, non-perishable food and manual can
opener
List of emergency contact information including your support
network members in and out of the region, service providers,
etc.
Copies of important documents (birth certificate, passport,
licenses, insurance info, proof of address)
Flashlight and radio (hand crank or have extra batteries)
Cash, credit cards, checkbook, ATM card
White distress flag or cloth, whistle, flashlights and/or glow
sticks
First aid kit
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The Basics: More about the kit
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Medical equipment and assistive devices (glasses, hearing
aids, catheters, augmentative communication devices,
canes, walkers), plus extra batteries and chargers
Medications, including a list with the prescription name,
dosage, frequency, doctor, and pharmacist. If medications
must be refrigerated, bring a cooler with an ice pack or
other coolant system
Written identification of your disability-related or health
condition, or medical alert tags or bracelets
Supplies for a service animal including food, identification
tags, proof of vaccinations, and veterinarian contact
information
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The Main Message
Have a comprehensive list of all the AT used (home, work,
school)
 Maintain current records of products and peripherals
(manufacturer/vendor; make and model; serial number;
payment source)
 Keep AT information (including current evaluations, Rx,
product information) in a safe place with other healthrelated information
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The Message to AT Users
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Develop a tip sheet for the products you use, in the
event someone unfamiliar with your AT will need to
assist you; keep this with your other documentation.
Register the products
Label the AT and all peripherals
Have extra batteries, chargers in your “go kit”
Have a “back up plan” – DIY or low tech solutions
Know where you may get AT for use after an
emergency/disaster (e.g., short term loans; openended/reuse programs)
Planning Tool for AT
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This easy to use tool was adapted by the Pass It On
Center from a tool developed by the Inclusive
Preparedness Center.
Work with a partner and follow the discussion topics to
make a full evaluation of all AT used on a regular basis.
http://www.passitoncenter.org/Portals/passitoncenter/Sum
mitResources/Disaster%20Guide%20%20AT%20Supplment.pdf
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Planning Tool for AT
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Varying Needs in Preparing for Disaster
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There are some great resources available through public
and nonprofit organizations.
Inclusive Preparedness Center
http://inclusivepreparedness.org/
National Organization on Disability
http://nod.org/research_publications/emergency_prepare
dness_materials/
Department of Health
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/default.htm
ADA Center NW
http://www.dbtacnorthwest.org/_public/site/files/Emergen
cyPrepard.pdf
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Tips for People with Battery Dependent
Devices
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Some examples of battery dependent devices include
respirators, power wheelchairs, communication devices.
Keep instructions for all devices, including back up power
products in a waterproof container.
Have non-battery power options as back when
appropriate or possible.
These tips, a checklist and personal stories can be found
at: http://www.jik.com/Power%20Planning%2010.24.09.pdf
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Back Up Power Supply
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Chargers for wheelchair and scooter batteries that give a slow
charge so batteries are ready to go.
$109.00
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Options for recharging wheelchair battery through a car
cigarette lighter.
$85.00
http://www.chargingchargers.com/wheelchair-scooter-chargers.html
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Back Up Power Supply
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Rechargeable power supply.
Holds charge for 6 months can receive power through
AC, solar or car charger.
Output power through USB, AC, 12V DC
$159.99
http://www.spheralsolar.com/products/Escape-150Battery.html
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Back up Power Supply for Devices
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AM/FM, shortwave, weather band radio with flashlight and
adjustable reading light.
Powered by hand crank, AA battery, Built in adjustable solar
panel and AC adapter
Can provide a charge to mobile devices using USB out jack
$49.99
http://beprepared.com/product.asp?pn=CM%20R975&sid=AM
AZONADS
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Tips for People with Mobility
Impairments
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If you use a manual chair pack heavy gloves in a go kit to
help you get over glass or debris.
If you don’t have puncture resistant wheels keep a patch
kit on hand.
For more information:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/mobility.
pdf
http://www.nod.org/assets/downloads/Readiness-TipsMobility-Disabilities.pdf
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Evacuation Methods
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Talk to your support network and train as many people
about the best way to assist you in evacuation
Some methods may take more than one person
There are devices that can be used for building
evacuation but not all buildings have them, educate facility
managers ahead of time.
Find the safest way to get out of the building and plan
how you will get around if your wheelchair is left behind.
For more tips and information:
http://www.dbtacnorthwest.org/_public/site/files/Emergen
cyPrepard.pdf
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Evacuation Chairs
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Specially designed to transport people with physical
disabilities down stairs.
Extra handles in front for two person operation in
locations with difficult access and for stair ascent.
Some evacuation chair companies request a call for a
quote.
Range in price from $1,800 - $3,200
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Evac-Aide Emergency Evacuation
Blanket
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Fire resistant, heavy gage, rip-stop vinyl.
Four hand loops on each side and S hooks in corners.
Can be used as stretcher, lifter, drag surface or
slide/chute.
http://www.ewss.org/gpage16.html
$84.00
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Tips for people with vision
impairments
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Have an extra pair of glasses packed in your go kits.
Keep eyeglass next to the bed within easy reach if you need to
evacuate the home in a hurry.
For more information and additional tips check out these
resources:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/visual.pdf
http://www.nod.org/research_publications/emergency_prepare
dness_materials/for_people_with_sensory_disabilities/
Tips for People with Hearing
Impairments
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Have hearing aids close at hand, maybe in a container
next to the bed for easy access.
Know how to communicate with emergency responders
if there is not an interpreter available.
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Pack pen and paper in your go kit.
Use an app for video relay with a friend or family member out
of the area.
Have pre-printed cards you can hand to people in a hurry.
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“I speak ASL and require an ASL translator.”
“If you make an announcement I will need it written down or signed.”
http://www.doh.wa.gov/phepr/handbook/hbk_pdf/hearing.
pdf
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Fire Alert for Deaf
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Shake up smoke detector
Wireless, single function system that detects smoke and
transmits a signal within 100 feet
Uses a bed vibrator to wake you up
http://www.assistech.com/cgibin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=SCSHKUPV
$270.00
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Fire Alert for Hearing Impaired and Deaf
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Receives the sound from existing T3 fire alarms.
Will alert with a square-wave alarm sound, flashing “FIRE” on
clock face and bed shaker
http://www.hearworldusa.com/products/Lifetone-HL-BedsideFire-Alarm-and-Clock-w%7B47%7DBed-Shaker.html
$149.00
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Radio Alert System
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NPR Labs and Townsen University have been working
to develop a system for low vision, blind, and deafblind individuals that will relay emergency alerts via
HD radio.
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Personalized Audio Information System (PAIS)
Captioned Braille Radio Initiative
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http://www.nprlabs.org/research-ar.html
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Weather Alert Radio
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Special receiver that tunes to the 24/7 National Weather
Service broadcasts with S.A.M.E. Digital Weather/Hazard
AC powered with 4 AA battery back up
Alerts via loud tone, LED “alert” message
Can transmit signal to remote receiver in other rooms, to
bed shaker or lamp
http://unitedtty.com/store/product337.html
$139.95
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Tips for AAC Users
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Consider having a low-tech back-up to your
communication device that doesn’t require power or will
run off of batteries.
Know how you will communicate with emergency
responders if you do not have your communication
device or it has run out of power.
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Consider using pre-printed cards
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“I use a communication device to speak. I can understand you but I
can not respond by voice.”
Emergency Communication 4 All
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Developed by Temple University, this paper communicator
can benefit people AAC user, people for whom English is
a second language, people who are deaf or who have
difficulty with speech output.
Contact information is listed on the back of the
communicator
Practice using this tool often as part of emergency drills
Free to download
http://www.disabilities.temple.edu/aacvocabulary/e4
all.shtml#index
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Emergency Communication 4 All
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Emergency Communication 4 All
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Talking Fire Alarm
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Battery operated, wirelessly interconnect multiple alarms
Eleven pre-programmed voices will alert where the
hazard is coming from “Warning! Evacuate! Smoke
detected in kitchen.”
http://www.firstalertstore.com/store/products/sco501cn3st-onelink-wireless-talking-battery-operated-smoke-andco-alarm.htm
$69.00
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Recordable Voice Talking Alarm
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KidSmart Vocal Smoke Alarm useful for people who
respond poorly to normal beeping of an alarm.
Able to record personalized massage in a familiar voice
http://www.redi-exit.com/talking-smoke-alarm-p10.html?gclid=CLKCysmFgK4CFacbQgodW1Aa3g
$41.99
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Tips for Service Animals
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Service animals may not need a power supply back up but
they will need planning for as well.
Go kits should include food, water, medication and bowls
for animals.
Boots can help protect animals feet from possible debris
on the ground.
For more tips and information:
http://www.nod.org/assets/downloads/Readiness-TipsOwners-Pets.pdf
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Recovery - Replacing lost or damaged
equipment
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If purchased with Medicaid contact the vendor where
equipment was purchased they should know the process.
If you need additional assistance:
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DME Authorization line: 1-800-562-3022
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Most requests can be handled over the phone.
Recovery - Replacing lost or damaged
equipment
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Device reuse organizations
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Can loan equipment for short or long term accommodation
until equipment is replaced by other sources or for people
injured in an emergency.
Reuse organizations can also be used to replace equipment.
Recovery - Replacing lost or damaged
equipment
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The EverGREEN AT Exchange
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Online, third party exchange to post and search available
devices in WA
http://greenat.watap.org
Pass It On Center
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Search for reuse organizations nationally or in WA
http://passitoncenter.org/locations/SearchResults.aspx
NOAA
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Provides latest information from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
View Satellite images
Need WiFi or 3G for App to update information
Free
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FEMA
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Checklist for creating a Ready Bag and Go Kit
Links for starting the recovery process
Need WiFi or 3G for updated information
Personal contact information
General information about emergency planning and
recovery.
Shelters that are open
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Red Cross: Shelter View
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Provides a list or map view of open shelters and will
update every 30 minutes in a disaster.
Works with Voice Over in list view.
Need WiFi or 3G to operate app
Free
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WATAP contact information
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http://watap.org/
(800) 214-8731 Toll-Free Hotline
(866) 866-0162 Toll-Free TTY
(206) 685-4181 Local Voice
(206) 616-1396 Local TTY
(206) 543-4779 Local Fax
[email protected]
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