Emergency Preparedness in a Sample of Persons with Disabilities

Gershon, R.R.M., Kraus, L.E., Raveis, V.H., Sherman, M.F., and Kailes, J.I. (2013, Winter). Emergency Preparedness in a Sample of Persons with Disabilities American Journal of Disaster Medicine, 8(1), pp.35-47.

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to characterize emergency preparedness in this vulnerable population, and to ascertain the role of the personal assistant (PA) and the potential impact of prior emergency experience on preparedness efforts.

Conclusion:

Conclusions: Involving the PA in the planning process and experiencing an emergency were both significantly associated with higher emergency preparedness scores in this sample of people living with disabilities. However, critical deficiencies in preparedness were noted, such as lack of back-up plans for replacing their PA. Despite a concerted national effort to improve preparedness in the population of people living with disabilities, important preparedness gaps remain. These findings highlight the need for additional study on emergency preparedness barriers in people living with disabilities so that effective strategies to reduce vulnerabilities can be identified.

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