Monthly Updates - February 2007

ICC Monthly Highlights

FEMA Announces Disability Coordinator Position

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a Disability Coordinator position in accordance with H.R. 5441 [109th]: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007. The Disability Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the needs of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in emergency preparedness and disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. The Disability Coordinator will establish and implement policies, procedures, and standards associated with management of disaster related disability issues. The application deadline is March 12, 2007. To view the position description visit: http://www.fema.gov/career/publicSearch.do?action=Display%20Groups&groupId=6.

DHS National Advisory Council Announced

The Notice of Committee Establishment and Request for Applicants for Membership to the DHS National Advisory Council (NAC) was published in the Federal Register on February 7. In accordance with H.R. 5441 [109th]: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007, the NAC has been created to advise the FEMA Administrator on all aspects of emergency management in an effort to ensure effective and ongoing coordination of federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation for natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. Specifically, the NAC will focus on the development and revision of the national preparedness goal, the national preparedness system, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the National Response Plan (NRP). Members will be appointed by the Administrator and will include individuals from a substantive cross section of officials, emergency managers, and emergency response providers from state, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations.

Applications for membership are due by March 9, 2007. For more information please visit: http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=7867038288+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve.

FEMA Sets Comment Periods on National Incident Management System

FEMA has announced the review period for the public to comment on the assessments made to improve the effectiveness of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). A comprehensive review of both NIMS and the National Response Plan (NRP) was initiated in September 2006 with federal departments and agencies; state, local and tribal authorities; and the public and private sectors, including non-government organizations.

The draft NIMS Upgrade (version 1) is now available for nationwide review and comment. In order to expedite the review process, two national review periods have been established to collect comments. The first comment period runs from Feb. 1-19, and the second will be held March 26-April 6. FEMA indicated a public comment period for the NRP review will be announced in March.

NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to establish federal, state, tribal, and local governments, and private sector and nongovernmental organizations to work together effectively and efficiently to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity, including acts of catastrophic terrorism. The NRP is an operational document that describes how the federal government provides resources and support to an incident requiring a coordinated federal response in support of other federal entities, or state, local, and tribal officials.

More information is available at: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=33788.
DHS TODAY - Feb. 12, 2007– Vol. 5, Issue No. 4

National Response Plan (NRP) Revision: National Response Plan and National Incident Management System Revision - “Special Needs” Work Group Meeting, February 8 – 9, 2007

The National Response Plan (NRP), built on the National Incident Management System (NIMS), provides a framework for responding to emergency situations warranting federal involvement and managing a comprehensive range of support functions. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have undertaken a comprehensive review of the NRP, beginning with a stakeholder meeting on October 25, 2006 to outline a process for a comprehensive revision. The second phase of the resultant process centers on a series of NRP/NIMS Work Groups, each focused on a specific subject area.

The Special Needs Work Group met on February 8-9, 2007, led by Co-Chairs, Claudia Gordon and Brian Parsons of DHS, to discuss progress on revising the NRP and functional issues of people with special needs that must be reflected in NRP and NIMS revisions. The meeting involved more than 40 representatives from Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These representatives comprised a diverse set of background and experience related to assisting people with special needs in disaster preparedness and response. The Work Group reviewed the purpose and context of the NRP, the status of the revision process, and feedback from a sub-group that met on January 25 to develop a functional definition of "special needs." A series of facilitated conversations then identified key issues affecting people with special needs during emergency situations, refined the definition of "special needs," and framed a reference document to support the NRP.

ICC Monthly Updates

US Department of Health and Human Services

HHS Works to Ensure Emergency Preparedness Issues of Persons with Disabilities are Addressed in the National Response Plan

The Office on Disability Health and Human Services Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee has worked with the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and representatives from all HHS agencies in ensuring that emergency preparedness issues for persons with disabilities are addressed in the ongoing rewrite of the National Response Plan, including participation in the Support Annex working groups and input to all ESF Annex rewrites. The first deadline on the timetable for completion has been met; the rewrites of the Support and ESF Annexes are with the NRP rewrite support staff. We would like to extend a special thank you to all participants for their dedicated and timely effort.

Development of Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for State and Local Planners

The charge of the Health and Human Services Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee is to meet the health and human services challenges of persons with disabilities in emergency preparedness. Under the leadership of the HHS Office on Disability and ASPR, a web based tool kit targeting State and local emergency response managers is in development. This tool kit will be available in alternative formats, including written and audio. The Statement of Work has been accepted by the vendor, who is meeting with focus groups to assess additional information and will make a report to the Office on Disabilities in the coming week. The vendor will present the draft tool kit on March 1st for review.

In addition to the tool kit development, the vendor will also provide an introductory web based training module on disability. Initially it will be used to educate HHS public health and civil service staff to be detailed for an emergency. The intent is to include the module in the tool-kit for use by the states.

Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act Brings Significant Changes to HHS

The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, an extensive 137 page Bill, affects all aspect of the Department’s preparedness and response functions, including:

• Codifies HHS as lead of Federal public health and medical response to public health emergencies and National Response Plan (NRP) incidents.
• Directs HHS to enter into an interagency agreement with DHS, Veterans’ Administration, and Department of Transportation to assume operational control of Federal public health and medical personnel and assets during incidents (excluding Department of Defense).
• Creates a new Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), (formerly the Office of Public Health and Emergency Preparedness):
  • Senate confirmed position
  • Principal advisor to the Secretary on public health and medical preparedness and response
  • Deployment authority for Federal personnel including National Disaster Medical System (NDMS)
  • Oversee advanced research, development, and procurement of qualified countermeasures
  • Coordinate public health and medical response systems with Federal, State, local, Tribal and EMAC
  • Retain all functions of Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (ASPHEP)
• ASPR has authority over and responsibility for:
  • National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) (transferred to HHS as of January 1, 2007)
  • Hospital Preparedness Cooperative Agreement Program (transferred from HRSA)
• ASPR shall "exercise the responsibilities and authorities of the Secretary with respect to the coordination of":
  • Medical Reserve Corps (currently coordinated by the Assistant Secretary for Health);
  • Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) (currently coordinated by HRSA);
  • Strategic National Stockpile (currently coordinated by Center for Disease Control (CDC) and ASPR);
  • Cities Readiness Initiative (currently coordinated by CDC and ASPR); and
• ASPR shall carry out other duties as the Secretary determines appropriate
• ASPR leads in international preparedness and response initiatives and activities

To view S. 3678 [109th]--109th Congress (2006): Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act its entirety, visit: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-3678.

US Department of Transportation

Highlights of Emergency Preparedness Activities: August 2006 – February 2007

• Development of an Emergency Event Team to prepare for and manage a Federal evacuation of the New Orleans area during the hurricane season of 2006.
• Development and sharing of emergency preparedness tools and resources for state and local use to better serve the American public, particularly those with disabilities. Publications include:
  • A Strategy Paper and Checklist developed in conjunction with the National Consortium on the Coordination of Human Service Transportation, for communities providing an overview of the importance of transportation planning for individuals requiring assistance during an emergency. The documents include strategies that communities have employed to facilitate safe and appropriate transportation, as well as, information on the challenges that remain to improve transportation for specific populations in the event of an emergency situation. Both documents can be found at http://www.emergencyprep.dot.gov.
• Development of a cooperative agreement between DOT’s Federal Transit Administration and the University of New Orleans (UNO) to conduct research and prepare technical assistance products to improve emergency preparedness planning for car-less populations. The University and its project partners will conduct focus groups and prepare case studies identifying challenges and best practices for providing assistance to car-less populations. It will also develop a course and instruction manual on this topic.
• Collaboration between DOT’s Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administrations to develop several evacuation primers for use by State and local agencies. The materials will include specific information and guidance on the needs of people with disabilities during an emergency evacuation and should be available to state and local officials in May 2007.

For more information on these highlights please visit http://www.emergencyprep.dot.gov.

US Department of Education

NIDRR Announces Research Grants in Emergency Evacuation and Individuals with Disabilities and Emergency Management Technologies

The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) in the U.S. Department of Education is pleased to announce notices inviting applications for two new research grants in the areas of: "Emergency Evacuation and Individuals with Disabilities" and "Emergency Management Technologies."

"Emergency Evacuation and Individuals with Disabilities" is a three-year Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) with projected funding at $450,000 per year. "Emergency Management Technologies" is a five-year Rehabilitation Research and Engineering Center (RERC) with projected funding at $950,000 per year.

NIDRR will hold pre-application meetings (by teleconference) for anyone interested in applying for the grants. Please see the notices inviting applications for the dates and times of the pre-application meetings. NIDRR will also conduct peer-reviewed competitions to evaluate the applications we receive.

Notices inviting applications for these (and other) NIDRR grants were published in the Federal Register on February 14, 2007 and are available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-2349.htm or on the Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/news/fedregister/index.html.

Applicants: Complete grant application packages for both competitions are available at both http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html and www.grants.gov. Please note: When downloading the application package via Grants.gov you are given three boxes to fill in -- the FON, the CDFA, and the ID -- you should only fill in one of these boxes in order to open the application package. If submitting electronically via Grants.gov you will have to read the instructions very carefully. Please log onto http://www.grants.gov/ early to register - this is a 3-5 day process. Institutes of Higher ED - Please check with your grants/sponsored programs office to see who there will be submitting them for you. Do not wait to the last hour on the closing date to apply. Electronic applications received at the Department via grants.gov must be received/logged in, on the due date, by 4:30 p.m. Washington, DC time in order to be considered.

Applications are due on or before MONDAY, April 16, 2007.

Peer Reviewers: Persons interested in being a peer reviewer for either of these competitions should send a detailed resume to OSERSPRS@ed.gov, with copies to bonnie.gracer@ed.gov and thomas.corfman@ed.gov. Please include a cover letter describing your areas of expertise. You must include your academic credentials, complete contact information and a description of your experience in relevant areas (e.g., research, engineering, emergency management, disability). If you already sent your resume to Bonnie Gracer you do not need to resend it. Federal employees are not eligible to be peer reviewers for these competitions.

Please feel free to forward this message to interested parties.

US Department of Labor

Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Work Group Convenes Meeting to Discuss ICC Action Plan

On February 8, 2007, representatives of the ICC attended a meeting of the ICC Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace Work Group. The agenda focused on identifying priorities, goals, and activities related to Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace to include in the ICC Action Plan that will govern the work of the Council through Fiscal Year 2007 and 2008. The Work Group identified four deliverables. These deliverables are the next steps in continuing the mission to provide clear and consistent guidance to Federal building officials and managers regarding the inclusion of the needs of Federal employees and visitors with disabilities in the development of workplace emergency, continuity of operations, and disaster recovery plans.

US Department of Justice

Department of Justice Releases New Americans with Disabilities Act Technical Assistance Materials

The Department of Justice released new technical assistance materials to help state and local governments comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The materials are part of the "ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments," a project announced by Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales in October 2006.

"In our work with state and local governments throughout the country, we see many common problems with ADA compliance," said Wan J. Kim, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Department is issuing the Tool Kit to help state and local government officials gain a better understanding of how to ensure equal access to government programs and services for all of their citizens with a disability."

The Tool Kit is a commonsense guide to achieving ADA compliance. Chapters 3 and 4 of the Tool Kit, recently released, address the ADA requirement of ensuring effective communications for people with disabilities. "People who are deaf or hard of hearing, those who are blind or have low vision, and individuals with other types of disabilities are entitled to equal access to state and local government programs, services and activities," added Assistant Attorney General Kim. "These new chapters of the Tool Kit contain practical guidance, including checklists and action steps, that state, county, and city officials can use to identify and resolve ADA compliance issues in government agencies and programs across the country, including public hospitals, courts, law enforcement agencies, 9-1-1 emergency communication systems, and recreation programs."

During the past six years, through its Project Civic Access initiative, the Civil Rights Division has worked cooperatively with city and county officials to improve access for more than 2 million people with disabilities. The Department has reached 152 agreements that improve access for people with disabilities to city and county office buildings, courts, polling places, emergency shelters, museums, parks, law enforcement and corrections facilities, and websites.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EEOC Releases New ADA Publication: "Questions and Answers about Health Care Workers and the Americans with Disabilities Act"

The ADA protects a qualified individual with a disability from disparate treatment or harassment based on disability, and also provides that, absent undue hardship, a qualified individual with a disability is entitled to reasonable accommodation to perform, or apply for, a job or to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment. The ADA also includes rules regarding when, and to what extent, employers may seek medical information from applicants or employees. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the employment provisions of the ADA.

Although the rules under Title I of the ADA and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act are the same for all industries and work settings, this fact sheet explains how the ADA might apply to particular situations involving job applicants and employees in the health care field. Topics discussed include:

• when someone is an "employee" covered by the ADA (as opposed to an independent contractor);
• when someone is an "individual with a disability" under the ADA;
• how to determine if a health care applicant or employee with a disability is qualified for ADA purposes;
• what types of reasonable accommodations health care workers with disabilities may need and the limitations on a health care employer’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodation;
• when an employer may ask health care applicants or employees questions about their medical conditions or require medical examinations; and
• how a health care employer should handle safety concerns about applicants and employees.

To view the publication please visit: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/health_care_workers.html

Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Over the past six months, EEOC has coordinated with the Homeland Security Council, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Personnel Management, and other Federal agencies to provide technical assistance on a variety of issues related to pandemic preparedness and response. Most importantly, EEOC consulted about how agency management may survey current employees to plan for widescale telework or absences that may be required in the event of an avian flu pandemic, without running afoul of the standards under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act for disability-related inquiries and medical examinations.

For EEOC technical assistance on this issue, please contact Carol Miaskoff, Assistant Legal Counsel, at 202-663-4645 (voice), 202-663-7026 (TTY), or carol.miaskoff@eeoc.gov.

Prior EEOC publications which relate to this issue include Enforcement Guidance: Disability-Related Inquiries & Medical Examinations of Employees Under the ADA (7/27/00), http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/guidance-inquiries.html, and Obtaining and Using Employee Medical Information as Part of Emergency Evacuation Procedures (10/31/01), http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/evacuation.html.

Federal Communications Commission

Open Rulemaking Proceedings Announcements:

The FCC currently has an open rulemaking proceeding on updating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and is working with the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau to ensure accessibility of the EAS messages for persons with sensory disabilities.

The FCC also has an open rulemaking proceeding on 9-1-1 emergency call handling by Internet-based telecommunications relay service (TRS) providers. Following an E9-1-1 Disability Access Summit held at the FCC in November 2006, the FCC continues to consider possible solutions to achieve 9-1-1 calling via TRS through Video Relay Service (VRS).

For more information please visit the FCC’s Disability Rights Office website at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/.

US Department of Homeland Security

Continued Collaboration on 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act – Section 689 Guidelines

CRCL and its ICC partners continue to collaborate with FEMA in the development of Guidelines for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in Disasters. The Guidelines are required by Section 689 of the 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Pursuant to its charge under Executive Order 13347, CRCL is coordinating the project by working collaboratively with a Work Group consisting of representatives from federal agencies with jurisdiction over the enforcement of various disability civil rights and accessibility laws. It is the intent of the Guidelines to demonstrate how the array of existing accessibility requirements can be synthesized and framed as a tool for use by response and recovery personnel in the field.

DHS Officials Address Emergency Management Issues at NEMA 2007 Mid-Year Conference

DHS officials addressed the annual meeting of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), speaking on a number of topics of interest to state emergency management officials. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff delivered the conference’s keynote address. DHS Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman addressed the topic of setting risk-based priorities to protect the nation. FEMA Director David Paulison along with other FEMA officials participated in a panel discussion on the implementation of the Post-Katrina Reform Act and FEMA’s vision for the future.

In prepared remarks, Secretary Chertoff discussed homeland security grants, interoperability, and the FEMA/Preparedness reorganization. Concerning the grants program, the Secretary said that funding priorities would continue to be based on applying risk management principles. He also noted that the Department is committed to getting grant guidance out earlier and is taking on a more regional approach to making grant decisions. Regarding interoperability, Secretary Chertoff said that despite tremendous progress, there are still areas of the country where separate jurisdictions are not working together as effectively as they should to achieve regional interoperability. To address this and other interoperability issues, he said the Department is creating a new Office of Emergency Communications that will serve as the focal point for the Department’s interoperable and emergency communication efforts.

Concerning the reorganization of FEMA and the Preparedness Directorate, Secretary Chertoff noted that in addition to the movement of a number of offices and functions to FEMA from the DHS Preparedness Directorate, a new National Protection and Programs Directorate will include infrastructure protection, risk-management, cyber security and telecommunications, and US-VISIT border management functions. He said the new Directorate will act as a “utility infielder” tying together different functions of the department that address the rapidly changing and evolving national and global risk environment.

The Secretary’s complete remarks are available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/sp_1171376113152.shtm.

Secretary Testifies Before House Panels on FY ’08 Budget Request

Secretary Chertoff testified before two House panels on the Department’s fiscal year FY 2008 budget request, recounting progress the Department has made in a number of areas but also acknowledging that the Department faces a number of challenges.

“We must focus on the greatest risks and be flexible to changing threats, disciplined in our use of resources, and fully committed to building a Department that will meet future challenges, preserve freedom and privacy, and protect the American people,” the Secretary said in his prepared statement to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. The Secretary reiterated this message in a separate hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security, which has oversight responsibility for the Department’s programs.

The Secretary highlighted a number of funding priority areas in the FY 2008 budget request, which are aligned with the five goals the department will pursue over the next two years. Some examples include:

• Additional funds for adding 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents and facilities to house the agents;
• Increased funding for the Secure Freight Initiative that is designed to maximize radiological and nuclear screening of U.S. bound containers from foreign ports;
• Increased funding to improve chemical site security;
• Increased funding for FEMA’s Vision Initiatives to allow it to intensify and speed development of core competencies for achieving disaster readiness, response, and recovery; and
• Increased funding for the DHS Consolidated Headquarters Project, which includes relocating the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters and other DHS components at the St. Elizabeth’s West Campus in Washington, D.C.

The Secretary’s prepared testimony is available at: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1170774601996.shtm.

Recently Released Resources

2006 Biennial Assessment of the Disability Services System in Virginia by Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

This report features a comprehensive assessment of Virginia’s service system for people with developmental and other disabilities, identification of critical issues facing Virginia’s disability services system, Board recommendations addressing those concerns, and reference listings for additional information. To view the report please visit: http://www.vaboard.org/biennial.htm.

FEMA Online Independent Study Program: IS-197 SP Special Needs Planning Considerations for Service and Support Providers

Course Overview:
All individuals, advocacy groups, organizations, and institutions within the special needs service and support system are encouraged to be proactive and develop emergency plans. The purpose of this course is to provide representatives of the special needs service and support system with the basic information and tools to develop their own emergency plans.

This course is designed for people who work with the elderly and people with disabilities, and will teach how to partner with local Emergency Management and better prepare for all phases of an emergency.

• Describe the impact of different types of hazards on special needs populations.
• Describe challenges during the different phases of an emergency.
• Explain how to develop emergency plans and work with emergency management and other local officials during the planning process for your local community.

To access the course electronically please visit: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS197SP.asp.

Nebraska Health Department Develops Manual to Assist People with Disabilities in Emergencies

The Nebraska Health Department has developed a disaster planning manual as an appendix to the East-Central District Health Department’s All Hazards Plan to assure the safety of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning. The manual, which is under review by Nebraska Health and Human Services, will be a template for all-hazards emergency planning. For more information on the manual please visit: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/.

Virginia Governor Announces Grant to Promote Hiring of Individuals with Disabilities

Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced a two-year, $244,000 grant to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (VCU-RRTC) to promote public-private partnerships that will result in the employment of at least 20 individuals with disabilities by state government. The initiative, approved by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD), also includes training for rehabilitation professionals to develop more effective partnerships with private-sector staffing organizations that will increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For more information please visit: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=334.

Federal Grant to Help People with Developmental Disabilities

A $2.2 million five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities has launched the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), under the University of Arizona Department of Family and Community Medicine.

The goals of the Sonoran UCEDD are to ensure that Southern Arizona and its border communities have the programs, services and supports people with developmental disabilities need to be fully included in the life of the community. For more information on this program please visit: http://www.fcm.arizona.edu/index.cfm/1,1,375,0,html/FCM-Launches-Sonoran-Center-for-Excellence-in-Developmental-Disabilities.

Upcoming Events

March 4-7, 2007
20th Annual Research Conference - A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base
Tampa, Florida
The 20th Annual Research Conference, A System of Care for Children’s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base, will allow attendees an opportunity to hear from leaders in the field of children’s mental health during sessions on key issues in systems of care research and “state-of-the-science” sessions, speakers will focus on real-world implementation of effective systems of care. For more information please visit: http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu/rtcconference/.

March 12-13, 2007
23rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Pacific Rim Conference is an international educational forum for persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policy makers and nationally recognized professionals in the various disciplines in the diverse field of disabilities. Pacific Rim provides opportunities to learn from one another, share resources and ideas that support the quality of life, community inclusion, and self-determination for all persons with disabilities and their families and help shape our world community. For more information please visit: http://www.hawaii.edu/calendar/uh/2007/03/12/2756.html.

March 15, 2007
Interoperability for Informed Emergency Response
Washington, DC
This all day event will advance interoperable emergency communications and show how it can transform emergency response processes. The event will begin with a key note speaker and then divide into breakout groups to discuss both technical and policy issues. The day will culminate with an interoperability demonstration conducted on Capitol Hill to showcase agency to agency communications, agency to public communications for alerts and warnings and Radio over Internet Protocol (ROIP) interoperability. For more information please visit: http://www.comcare.org.

March 21, 2007
Through Deaf Eyes
TV – PBS documentary 9:00PM – 11:00PM EST
This documentary explores 200 years of deaf life in America. The film presents the shared experiences of American history—family life, education, work, and community connections—from the perspective of deaf citizens. For more information please visit the PBS website: http://www.weta.org/.

March 19-24, 2007
Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference 2007
Los Angeles, CA
The Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference serves as a major training venue for professionals around the world involved in the field of disability and technology. For more information on the conference please visit: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.html.

April 9 – 10, 2007-03-02
Possibilities for Every Ability: 2007 Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities
Tulsa, Oklahoma
This two day conference will cover a variety of topics including: autism services; social security; Medicaid reform; Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) policy; positive behavioral intervention; effective individualized education plans (IEP); guardianship; inclusive child care; and emergency plans and preparedness. For more information call 1-800-836-4470 or visit: http://www.state.ok.us/~okddc/.

April 17-20, 2007
15th Annual VOAD Conference
Albuquerque, NM
Call For Workshop and Presentation Proposals Due December 8, 2006
Choose from beginning, intermediate or advanced levels of knowledge in any of the following four areas: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. All workshops are 90 minutes in length. To promote a great diversity of workshop topics, the following criteria will be used to select presentations: the spirit of coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and communication; content of presentation; emerging trends; and conference theme. For more information please visit: http://www.nvoad.org/annualconf1.php.

April 17 – 20, 2007
2007 Virginia Emergency Management Conference
Williamsburg, VA
The Virginia Emergency Management Conference is designed for professionals involved in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters from all hazards. This conference offers opportunities to learn from a variety of experts in business, public safety and, emergency management. For more information please visit: http://www.vdem.state.va.us/newsroom/events/vema2007.cfm.

June 10 – 13, 2007
National Conference on Citizen Preparedness
Alexandria, VA
The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), the National Association of Emergency Managers (NEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will jointly host the National Conference on Citizen Preparedness on June 10-13, 2007 in Alexandria, VA. Anyone interested in community and citizen preparedness is invited to attend. Conference participation is an allowable use of Citizen Corps grant funding from DHS.

Conference Objectives: Share best practices on community preparedness; get suggestions on how to reach out to specific population segments; learn innovative approaches to funding; hear updates on Department of Homeland Security initiatives; network with other Citizen Corps partners; find out how others are addressing liability issues Hear ideas on engaging elected officials; and listen to findings from citizen preparedness research.

More detailed information and online registration is available through the IAEM web site at: http://www.iaem.com/NCCC2007.htm.

July 17, 2007
ICC 3rd Anniversary Principals Meeting
Washington, DC
July 2007 marks the 3rd anniversary of the ICC and Executive Order 13347, issued by the President to ensure that individuals with disabilities are fully incorporated into our nation’s disaster and emergency preparedness plans.

November 11 – 14, 2007
IAEM 55th Annual Conference
Reno, Nevada
The IAEM Annual Conference provides a forum for current trends and topics, information about the latest tools and technology in emergency management and homeland security, and advances IAEM committee work. Sessions encourage stakeholders at all levels of government, the private sector, public health and related professions to exchange ideas on collaborating to protect lives and property from disaster. For more information please visit: http://www.iaem.com/

About the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties oversees the implementation of Executive Order 13347, Individuals with Disabilities in Emergency Preparedness, which was signed by President Bush in July 2004. This Executive Order is designed to ensure the safety and security of individuals with disabilities in all-hazard emergency and disaster situations. To this end, the Executive Order created an Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The ICC is comprised of senior leadership from more than 20 Federal departments and agencies. Its mission is to ensure that people with disabilities and their specific needs are fully integrated into all aspects of our nation's emergency management system; including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Secretary of Homeland Security is the Chair of the ICC, and he has delegated that role to Mr. Daniel Sutherland, the DHS Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The Council has concentrated its work in eight major areas:

1. Emergency Communications;
2. Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace;
3. Emergency Transportation;
4. Health;
5. Private Sector Coordination;
6. Research;
7. State, Local and Tribal Government Coordination; and
8. Technical Assistance and Outreach.

For more information about the ICC please visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov.