Disability-Specific Tips

In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should contain items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you may need to add to your kit.

Tips for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing:

A weather radio with text display and a flashing alert.
Extra hearing-aid batteries.
A TTY.
Remember 711 for telecommunications relay services
911 in Connecticut now has a texting option if needed.
Pen and paper if you can use them to communicate with someone who does not know sign language.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.

Tips for People who are blind or have low vision:

Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print.
Keep a list of your emergency supplies, and where you bought it, on a portable flash drive, or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
Keep a Braille or Deaf-Blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.

Tips for People with Speech Disability:

If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep Model information, where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.

Tips for People with a mobility disability:

If you use a power wheelchair, if possible, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup
Show others how to operate your wheelchair. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported
Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you are unable to purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you with the purchase. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times.
Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.
Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate without your wheelchair, take your cushion with you.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.

Tips for individuals who may need behavioral support

Plan for children with disabilities and people including individuals who may have post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments. This may include handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), sheets and twine or a small pop up tent to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy, headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and numbers.
Disaster Distress Helpline. - Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. This 24/7, 365-day-a-year, multilingual and confidential national hotline is dedicated to offering immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.

Extra items you may need in your emergency kit:

At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines, along with a list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies.
Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
Extra wheelchair batteries (and/or manual wheelchair if possible to use).
Extra oxygen.
A list of the style and serial number of medical devices. Include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed.
Copies of medical insurance, Mediciad and/or Medicare cards.
Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.
Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service animal.
Handheld electronic devices loaded with movies and games (and spare chargers), headphones to decrease auditory distractions, and comfort snacks and toys that meet needs for stimulation.