Emergency planning with people with disabilities

“Nothing about us without us” is a principle of the disability rights movement, and it fits emergency planning exactly. The person knows what helps them, what they can do themselves and where they need support. A plan made over their head often misses reality – and also violates their self-determination.

A good plan describes needs rather than diagnoses. For helpers, “I need help on stairs and cannot stand for long” is far more useful than a medical term. The plan also takes into account that in an emergency, precisely the usual support may fail: assistance cannot get through, transport services do not run, power for aids is missing and the lift stands still.

The personal support network is the heart of it. At least three people in different places – home, work, neighbourhood – are advisable, who know the plan, know how to get into the home and check in an emergency. Several people matter because in a crisis any one of them may be affected or unreachable.

Warnings must arrive. Not everyone can hear sirens, not everyone can read text warnings. Helpful options are warning apps with vibration or light signals, smoke alarms with a strobe light or vibrating pad, and a firm agreement that someone will let you know. Ask your municipality which accessible warning channels exist – accessible warning is still being developed in many countries.

A short information card for rescuers saves time in an emergency: how do you communicate with me? Which aids are essential? Which medication do I take, whom should you call? It goes in the wallet and in the emergency bag. Add backups for aids where possible: spare glasses, chargers, spare batteries where the manufacturer provides for this, and sometimes a manual alternative to an electric aid. For assistance animals, plan food, water and documents.

Anyone who needs support to leave the building should set off early when evacuation warnings come, rather than waiting to see whether it gets serious. In danger, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU) and say straight away what support is needed, for example: “I use a wheelchair and I am on the third floor.” That way responders can send the right equipment and enough people.

Lifts cannot be used in a fire or power cut. So clarify escape routes and help on stairs in advance, not during the emergency – together with building management, neighbours, employer or school. The local fire service often advises on special situations such as flats on upper floors. Rescue techniques from windows or via ladders are a matter for professionals, not neighbours.

Try the route out of the home with your own aids – also without the lift and also in the dark. That shows where things get stuck: a heavy fire door, a step without a handrail, a corridor blocked with bicycles. Some of this can easily be changed with building management.

For cognitive impairments, plain language, picture cards showing the next steps and regular practice help. What has been practised often can still be recalled under stress. Review the plan together regularly, because aids, living situation and support people change.

Ready.gov explicitly advises people with disabilities to build a personal support network, include aids and communication needs in the plan and keep information ready for rescuers. The BBK also points to special preparedness for people needing support.

Whether your region has registers, special support services or accessible emergency shelters varies a great deal. Ask your municipality, disability organisations or advice centres. Medical and legal questions are for the relevant professionals.