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Collaboration for Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response

Phyllis Guinivan, Project Coordinator Gary Mears, Research Associate Center for Disabilities Studies

Patricia L. Maichle, Executive Director Developmental Disabilities Council

The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) received a Project of National Significance grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The project, “Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response,” focuses on enabling individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to prepare for emergency situations and promoting the seamless integration of emergency planning for individuals with developmental disabilities into existing emergency operational plans in Delaware. Grant activities include:

• Promoting the new statewide Online Voluntary Registry (see below)
  
• Offering personal assistance in the preparation of individualized emergency preparedness plans and “go kits;”
  
• Collaborating with Citizen Corps to offer workshops on emergency preparedness;
  
• Preparing emergency planners and responders to address the unique needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families during an emergency;
  
• Conducting a regional conference to explore opportunities for interstate collaboration in inclusive preparedness;
  
• Utilizing technology to address portability of information during an emergency and reuniting families following an evacuation;
  
• Examining emergency operational plans and existing laws and policies in regard to inclusive emergency preparedness, and offering recommendations on how such plans and policies could be improved; and
  
• Collaborating with the Disaster Resource Center at the University of Delaware to examine emergency preparedness for people with disabilities during the course of a disaster.

CDS is partnering with state agencies and various Delaware organizations on this grant. Many of these agencies and organizations have representatives serving on the project’s Advisory Council. CDS is pleased to join with these partners to help individuals with developmental disabilities and their families learn the important steps necessary to prepare for emergencies in Delaware.

For more information about the project, contact:

• Phyllis Guinivan, Project Coordinator at 302-831-7464 or pguiniva@udel.edu
• Gary Mears, Research Associate at 302-831-3206 or gmears@udel.edu

YOU NEED TO BE READY.
The Delaware ‘911’ Emergency System, Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and the Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), in collaboration with other state and community-based agencies have developed an online, secure Voluntary Registry for individuals with non-typical functional needs—disabilities, special health care needs, non-English speaking individuals and the Amish—to help them prepare for an emergency before it happens.

Both local and state emergency planners and first responders will use the information gathered from this site. The ability to plan ahead will help emergency personnel better serve the community at times of crisis—snow, floods, fire, tornados, or events that might involve terrorism. Should you ever need to dial ‘911,’ emergency personnel and first responders—fire, police, and EMT personnel—will have access to this information, using it to better serve you.

The Online Voluntary Registry is web-based and secure. Please visit www.de911assist.delaware.gov to register and to learn more about the registry. You can find information to guide you in developing a self-preparedness plan at www.delawarecitizencorps.org/videos and on the Developmental Disabilities Council website at www.ddc.delaware.gov.

Take an important first step and add your information to the new Online Voluntary Registry.

For questions or technical assistance, please call Terry Whitham, the 911 Systems Administrator, at 302-744-2682 or call the Developmental Disabilities Council at 302-739-3333.

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