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Emergency Preparedness & Free Webinars

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Hurricane image with map to symbolize storm that threatens people with disabilities

Weathering the storm. 

Now is the best time to prepare for an emergency or natural disaster -- well in advance and with plenty of time to address special disability-related needs and concerns. Weathering the storm is extra complicated for people with complex medical needs and diagnosed disabilities.  Preparing ahead is critical and not as hard as you may think.

The Ready.gov website offers great checklists and a variety of excellent tips for getting things in order. I also love this comprehensive Red Cross guide.  Both provide actionable advice on the four basic steps for successful preparedness:

1. Stay informed.  Sign up for alerts. Download the FEMA app.  Know in advance what natural disasters are headed your way at any given time.

2. Make a plan.  Determine how to evacuate, shelter in place, and communicate with others in the event of an emergency.  This can be made more difficult for people with intellectual, physical, or behavioral disabilities. Access local supports to ensure your loved one's needs will be meet.  Hold drills to practice what you plan.

3. Build a kit.  This might include extra medicines, battery chargers for medical devices, food, supplies for a service animal, and important papers and documentation to help others support you and your child most effectively.  Don't forget to include items that will help soothe your child and make a difficult experience less stressful.  Keep this info and materials in a designated home location so it's easy to "grab and go" in the event of an emergency.

4. Share your plan, kit location, and concerns with your support network.  This is reassuring, comforting, and stress-relieving. 

Here's more to inspire you to make this a priority:  



Free Training

Here are three FREE workshops to help you support young people with disabilities:

Tuesday, August 27, 12pm Eastern – Learn more about how Bookshare can support students with disabilities (see last week’s newletter article here).  I can’t say enough about this wonderful program…just in time for back-to-school. Register at: https://ow.ly/p2KN50SYVZm

Thursday, August 29, 6PM Eastern – Attend this week’s virtual reading and discussion of “Who’s in Your Life? Rethinking the Social Story of Disability.”  Written by my friend and colleague, Tim Vogt, this book examines how and why building connectedness benefits communities and families.  It’s the story of inclusion and prioritizing relationships over programs.  Register here for free with Starfire of Cincinnati.  

Tuesday, September 24, 3PM Eastern -- Explore tips and tools with Elevatus Training to address sexuality with young adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Designed to help parents and caregivers increase their comfort level discussing this often complicated topic.  Learn more and register here.  

 

Interested in learning more about private coaching?

Contact Kris for information on what this might look like for you, including outcomes, availability, fees and more.

Contact Kris

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