Disability SME, Edwina Juliet, Taskforce on Fire and Life Safety for People with Disabilities.

Phase 2 Peer Review Teams

• Completed 131 site visits over 62 business days
• Interviewed 1,086 State, territorial, and local officials
• Collected 2,757 plans and supporting documents

Recognizing the importance of this review and the opportunity to further integrate individuals with disabilities into emergency planning, Secretary Chertoff ordered that the review include a rigorous examination of how these communities plan to prepare, inform, evacuate and care for people with disabilities. The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), which chairs the ICC, planned and led this important component of the review process.

Disability SME, Mary Lou Mobley, U.S. Department of Justice

• Adequate planning for catastrophes has been a longstanding national problem
• States and urban areas are responsible for emergency planning, but the federal government has taken a greater role following recent major catastrophes
• The Nationwide Plan Review is the federal government's first-ever comprehensive assessment of State and urban area catastrophic planning
• The goal of the Review was to identify strengths and weaknesses of every State and 75 of the largest urban areas, then share those findings with participants so that they can take appropriate action
• There is no consequence for a "low" score. This report simply identifies gaps, provides summary conclusions, and establishes a baseline for future analysis
• States and urban areas are encouraged to use this information to strengthen their existing plans and submit requests for federal resources and support through the federal grants process
• DHS will integrate these findings into its "all hazards" strategic planning approach

Disability Subject Matter Expert Review

In March 2006, CRCL secured 11 disability subject matter experts (SMEs) from both non-government organizations and federal agencies to review applicable sections of a sample of State and Urban Area Security Initiative Emergency Operation Plans (EOPs) and appropriate supporting documents. The sample of EOPs chosen were selected based on risk and demographics. The team used a detailed assessment tool specifically designed for the purpose of assessing the degree to which state and urban areas are taking actions to address requirements associated with integrating people with disabilities into the emergency planning process. The CRCL disability SMEs evaluated the following key areas: demographics and legal considerations; evacuation and transportation; communication/public information; sheltering and health services; and exercises and training.

Summary of Findings

Disability SMEs, Elizabeth Davis, EAD & Associates, LLC and Michael Weston, U.S. Administration on Agings.

The CRCL team of disability SMEs found that major fragmentation, inconsistencies and critical gaps exist throughout the Plans and that few plans demonstrate in-depth planning and proactive thinking in preparing to meet the needs of people with disabilities before, during and after emergencies. The review also revealed that most Plans delegate critical responsibilities to third parties or other governmental entities without adequate coordination, oversight or assurance of resources and, for the most part, these Plans contain no indication that a delegated function will be executed in a timely and effective manner.

The key findings of the CRCL disability SME reviewers, including their initial conclusions, are incorporated in the Phase II Report as an Area of Special Focus. Additional discussion on disability and special needs issues are integrated throughout the entire Report. The findings of the CRCL disability SME reviewers, including their recommendations, are incorporated in the Phase II Report as an Area of Special Focus. Additional discussion on disability and special needs issues are integrated throughout the entire Report.

Observations and Next Steps:

• Planners are strengthening their plans and planning processes based on Peer Review Team feedback
• The results contributed to preparations for the 2006 hurricane season
• Just as catastrophic incidents cut across geographic and political boundaries, planners must be empowered to collaborate across those boundaries, within a comprehensive and interrelated system
• Building this system is a challenge we must work together to address
• As a result of the conclusions from the Nationwide Plan Review, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security charged the Under Secretary for Preparedness to establish a National Preparedness Task Force (NPTF) with planning and integration responsibilities

To review the Nationwide Plan Review report in PDF or HTML versions, visit http://www.disabilitypreparedness.gov and refer to the ‘What’s New’ box.

Disability-focused Initial Conclusions Based on Key Findings

Guidance on the Meaning of “Special Needs”

• The federal government should develop a consistent definition of the term “Special Needs.”

Disability Demographics Data

• The federal government should provide guidance to help states and local governments incorporate disability-related demographic analysis into emergency planning.

Evacuation and Transportation

• Federal, state and local governments should work with the private sector to identify and coordinate effective means for transporting individuals with disabilities before, during and after an emergency.

Communication/Public Information

• The federal government should provide technical assistance to clarify the extent to which emergency communications, including public information associated with emergencies, must be in accessible formats for persons with disabilities. This assistance should address all aspects of communication, including emergency notification and instructions, shelter announcements and applications and forms for government and private disaster benefits.

Sheltering/Health Service

• States should designate a specific state agency that is responsible for providing oversight and ensuring the accountability for including people with disabilities in the shelter operations process.

Exercises and Training

• Federal, state and local governments should increase the participation of people with disabilities and disability subject matter experts in the development and execution of plans, training and exercises.

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