For People with Disabilities

• Make a disaster plan today, before a disaster strikes. Consider, If needed, what family members or friends can take you in, in the case of life-changing events.
• Have printed contact lists handy to call family or friends in a time of need. Consider having it laminated and keep it someplace easy to find.
• Develop relationships with your neighbors, share contact information, as a neighbor may be able to assist you quicker than emergency services or family that do not reside with you.
• Keep an emergency kit near you, with petty cash, radio, water, and non-perishable snacks like protein bars to keep your strength up. For more details, see our Disaster Preparedness page with its Interactive List.
• Communicate often with family and friends about your current living conditions and potential challenges you may have during a disaster.
• Keep a small suitcase or bag packed with comfortable clothing, and other essentials to maintain your comfort. During a disaster or other emergency, you only have to remember to grab your go-bag.

Neighbors need to help each other to prepare and respond to disasters. Talk to your neighbors about what they might need in an emergency, and if they can help other neighbors.

Do you know:

• Who is at home in your neighborhood that might be available to help you during the day, at night, or on a weekend?
• Who in your neighborhood might need help?

Think of the people you would want to talk to during an emergency? These people might be your family, neighbors, friends, or caregivers. It could also be groups you belong to or volunteer with such as volunteer programs, faith-based or church groups, local Independent Living Centers, local Area Agencies on Aging, and neighborhood groups, etc.

The Emergency Preparedness Guide/Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities

This guide describes actions and considerations that individuals with disabilities can use to increase preparedness before, during, and after disasters.

• caloes.ca.gov & dor.ca.gov | Emergency Preparedness Guide

California Department of Rehabilitation Disaster Preparedness

In collaboration with California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and other State and Federal partners, the Department of Rehabilitation is committed to the safety of all Californians with disabilities.

The following resources can help you and your family prepare in the event of a disaster.

• dor.ca.gov | Disaster Preparedness

California Department of Aging

The emergency preparedness guide published by the California Department of Aging was developed in partnership with CalOES and the California Department of Rehabilitation. It was developed specifically for people with disabilities and older adults.

• aging.ca.gov | Emergency Preparedness Guide

California Connect Community Platform

This online environment is designed to help you stay informed, access support, and engage with a community that understands your experiences. Engage with your peers and dive into an environment built specifically for shared experiences from other Californians who have disabilities and are a part of the California Connect Program.

• caconnect.org | Community Platform

California Department of Rehabilitation Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is anything that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities and independence of persons with disabilities, aging populations, and people with non-communicable diseases. AT enables people to live healthy, productive, and dignified lives, and promotes inclusion and participation in education, the labor market, and civic life.

• dor.ca.gov | Assistive Technology

California Department of Rehabilitation Voice Options

Through a partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), the California Department of Rehabilitation’s (DOR) Voice Options program provides eligible Californians who are unable to speak, or who have difficulty speaking, with a free tablet device. The goal of this program is to ensure full and equal telephone communications access for all Californians with disabilities.

• dor.ca.gov | Voice Options

General Apps

• Cal Alerts: Sign Up For Alerts In Your County (CA only).
• Earthquake early warning with MyShake App (Global).
• Identify potential hazards in your area with MyHazards (CA only).
• Wildfire Alerts through Watch Duty App (nation-wide).

Need Specific Apps

Be My Eyes

Connects blind or low vision users who want assistance, with volunteers and companies across the world, through live video and AI.

• bemyeyes.com

Wheelmate

A free mobile app that helps wheelchair users find the nearest accessible toilets and parking spaces.

• Available through your Apple or Android app store.

Proloquo2Go

An award-winning AAC app that enables nonspeaking children and adults to express themselves confidently and initiate conversations. Trusted by hundreds of thousands worldwide, it is highly flexible and can be personalized to cater to individual needs and various disabilities.

• Proloquo2Go

TD Snap

A flexible software offering professionals and families a choice of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions. It comes with a set of powerful tools and resources to empower people with speech and language disabilities to communicate.

• TD Snap

• Follow official instructions from local authorities.
• Watch or listen to local news for reports on disasters. Radio and TV stations will share important information through the Emergency Alert System.
• Use your emergency kit as needed.
• Stay indoors or move to designated shelters if instructed.
• Communicate with family members and check on neighbors.
• Use the following apps and online websites to get additional alerts and safety information.
  • Check for alerts and information using the Watch Duty App.
  • Post earthquake information with MyShake app.
  • News.caloes.ca.gov has the latest emergency information.