1 The PowerPoint slide set for the “Interacting with Persons with Disabilities during Sheltering Operations – June Kailes” presentation was too large to post to the website as a single file; instead, it was divided into two parts. The following is the second half of the presentation.

2 Not This

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4 THIS

Staffing Is there necessary staff to adequately provide services? Have staff been trained on communication access methods and how to assist people with disabilities? Are Job aides available to staff? How will Personal Assistance Services be provided? How will health support be provided? (Medications, supplies, mobility devices ?) Shelter Planning Shelter/site Staffing Will volunteers be used? Who is coordinating? How are background checks completed? Have staff been trained? How will provide mental health support be provided? 5

Public Notification Shelter Planning Shelter Public Notification How will the opening and hours be announced? Are flyers/posters/signs printed in large font? Are they printed with picture alternatives? Is it announced in other methods format such as the Web or details available by phone? If there is a web posting, is the website accessible? 6

Rule is redundancy – so if you…  Announce it  Caption it  Picture it  it  Relay it  Text it  Post it  Interpret it (language & sign) 86

Operations & Logistics Have staff been trained on how to communication access methods and how to assist people with disabilities? What s the plan for line management? How information be collected on needs of people with disabilities, access and/or functional needs? How are resources requested? Shelter Planning Shelter Operations & Logistics How is transportation coordinated? Is the plan inclusive of accessible transportation? Is there an accessible process for registration? 8

Registration process: Two Observations  Does the client appear to be overwhelmed, disoriented, agitated, or a threat to self or others?( if YES, contact Mental Health or Health Services on site)  If the client has a service animal, uses a wheel chair, a walker or demonstrates any other circumstance where it appears they may need help in the shelter, ask if assistance may be needed, acknowledge their need and offer assistance. (This also may include a referral to Health Services). Referral: Yes / No Two Questions  Is there anything you or a member of your family needs right now to stay healthy while in the shelter? Yes / No If NO, is there anything you will need in the next 6-8 hours? Yes / No  Do you/family member have a health, mental health, or other condition about which you are concerned? Yes / No

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Accommodation  Safely accommodate individuals with access and/or functional needs in general populations’ shelters  Develop community partnerships to help to quickly accommodate individuals

Personal Assistants can include: Family Friends Neighbors Volunteers Evacuees in shelter Home Health Aids In-Home Supportive Services Providers/Personal Assistants 12

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14 Picture courtesy of Connecticut’s Universal Access Guide

Operations & Logistics What is the plan for providing access to prescription medications and/or to accessing a script? Is there a medical waste disposal plan? Shelter Planning Shelter Operations & Logistics Have food services been planned for? How will dietary requirements be captured and communicated? Is provider prepared? Is there a plan for adequate power and back up power? Who is responsibility identified for conducting ongoing monitoring for accessibility? 15

16 Feeding Photo Credit: genedailey.com

Closing Shelter Planning Shelter Closing Who will provide case management (connection to services)? What is the plan for capturing permanent DME distribution? How will you track it? What is the plan for coordinating transportation and reunification with pets before moving to more permanent housing? Will a local assistance center or PODs be established to provide continued support? Is there a program that is evaluating availability and accessibility of housing options? 17

Public information: Digging Deeper Community Meetings Announcement Requesting Accommodation Site Accessibility Accessible Materials Inclusionary Information 18

Public Information Announcement Community Meetings How will meeting be announced? Are printed announcements in large font? If requested, are they available in braille, audio, alternate languages etc.? Is the meeting announced in an additional method such as the Web or details available by phone? If there is a web posting, is the website accessible or 508 compliant? 19

Accommodation Requesting Accommodation Community Meetings Does the announcement include language for an individual to request accommodation? If there is a request for accommodation, how is it met? Are capabilities in place? Who do you make the resource request to? How? When? What agreements, contracts, vendors are in place to meet the accommodation? 20

Physical Accessibility Site Accessibility Community Meetings Meeting location must be physically accessible Who will select the site and evaluate for accessibility? What criteria will be used to evaluate the site? If previously assessed who will conduct a quick check to ensure the site is still accessible prior to the meeting? What criteria will be used for the rapid assessment? 21

Programmatic Accessibility Accessible Materials Community Meetings What information will be presented? Will there be handouts? Are materials available in alternate formats? Is accessibility factored in when creating handouts? Example: If evacuation zones are identified by color – is this also provided in a pattern for people who are colorblind and narrated for people who have low or no vision? 22

Inclusionary Information Community Meetings Is the information provided inclusionary and consider needs of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs? Example: If discussing personal preparedness or family evacuation plans – Be sure to include… arrange to have your personal assistant evacuate with you, bring necessary DME, CMS etc. Example: Is evacuation order criteria shared? i.e. 18” water in a home before calling for evacuation 23

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Charles R. Swindoll 26

Interpreters 27

9 AM-12 noon 28

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