Category Archives: emergency management

When Disaster Strikes Everyone, the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Is There for Us

ableism, better dead than disabled, emergency management, Katrina, Lisa Blumberg, Our News & Commentary Blog, Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, , ,

By Lisa Blumberg In a widespread disaster grievously impacting people in general, people who happen to have disabilities tend to be invisible. This may partly stem from the “better dead than disabled” ethos. If a disability is considered to irretrievably diminish the quality and value of your life, why be concerned about other problems could … Continue reading When Disaster Strikes Everyone, the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Is There for Us →

Anita Cameron: In Disasters We Lose

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I have been involved on a voluntary basis in emergency management and preparedness for 15 years in various areas around the country. My passion is getting people with disabilities involved in disaster preparedness because our community knows that during those times, we lose. Why? Because jurisdictions do not include people with disabilities in their disaster … Continue reading Anita Cameron: In Disasters We Lose →

DREDF Statement on Hollywood Hills Tragedy: In Emergency Planning, Disabled People Are Too Often Left Behind

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As the southern half of the United States begins repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, news reports surfaced that residents of a Hollywood Hills assisted living facility called The Rehabilitation Center were inside the center without air conditioning. Eight people died even though there was a hospital across the street, just mere yards from … Continue reading DREDF Statement on Hollywood Hills Tragedy: In Emergency Planning, Disabled People Are Too Often Left Behind →

Guest Blog: Paul Timmons – It’s Time to Stop Playing Nice With the Emergency Management Community After Continued Failure to Serve Disabled Disaster Victims

emergency management, fema, Inc., Our News & Commentary Blog, Paul Timmons, Portlight Strategies, red cross, susan dooha

 Shortly after posting Susan Dooha’s blog post on the lack of accessibility she encountered in emergency shelters during Hurricane Irene, I asked a friend and colleague if he’d be interested in writing a reaction/followup to Susan’s post.  Paul Timmons has a lot of experience with disaster relief – what entities such as the Red Cross … Continue reading Guest Blog: Paul Timmons – It’s Time to Stop Playing Nice With the Emergency Management Community After Continued Failure to Serve Disabled Disaster Victims →

Guest Blog: Susan Dooha on “Lessons Not Learned” in NYC Emergency Shelters for PWDs

emergency management, fema, Hurricane Irene, New York City, oem, Our News & Commentary Blog, susan dooha

Intro:  Over this last weekend, many people in the disability community were watching the progress of Hurricane Irene and hoping that – finally – disabled people were being properly taken into account in emergency plans.  Judging from the reports from Susan Dooha, Executive Director of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY), … Continue reading Guest Blog: Susan Dooha on “Lessons Not Learned” in NYC Emergency Shelters for PWDs →