• Emergency Managers, Responders, Service & Care Providers
• Emergency Managers & First Responders
• Service & Care Providers
• Transportation & Emergencies
• Disability Law: Know your Responsibilities

Military

The military plays an important role in emergency response and recovery situations. Military personnel benefit from understanding how different disabilities require different and appropriate response, rescue and recovery assistance. For example, if the National Guard is activated to help distribute ice and water when, as a result of an emergency, utilities are disrupted, persons who are deaf or hard of hearing benefit from clear written information. In contrast, a person who is blind or has low vision will not benefit from written information and will need to have information provided orally or in some appropriate accessible format, such as large print or Braille. Some people, because of their disability, cannot stand for long periods of times. Therefore, distribution plans for water, ice, and other critical supplies to accommodate these individuals.

The Department of Defense (DoD) established the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) in 1990 to improve accessibility for people with disabilities throughout the DoD and remove the cost of accommodations.

While CAP is available to DOD personnel, their dependents and Federal employees whose agency has an agreement with CAP, CAP has a special initiative to provide assistive technology and support to returning wounded service members. Accommodations are available for wounded service members with vision or hearing loss, upper extremity amputees as well as persons with communication and other disabilities to access the computer and telecommunication environment.