• Personal Preparedness Planning
• Disability Law: Know your Rights
• General Disability Preparedness Information
• Develop Your Plan
• Disability Specific Preparedness
• Disaster Specific Preparedness
• Assistive Technology for Emergencies
• Personal Communications Technology for Emergencies
• Educators Preparedness
• Work Related Preparedness
• Public Spaces
• Research on Accessible Emergency Preparedness

Assistive Technology for Emergencies

Assistive technology refers to devices commonly used by people with disabilities to improve or enhance one's ability to perform daily living tasks. The term 'assistive technology' encompasses a plethora of accommodations that range from a wheelchair to elevators that audibly announce floors. There is a wide variety of assistive technology that can be used in emergency preparedness. Examples include accessible evacuation plans in Braille, evacuation chairs, and fire alarms that also flash.

The following web sites have more information about assistive technology for emergencies:

• NRW for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's guide on national weather service radios that are accessible to persons with hearing disabilities.
• Use of TTYs with Wireless Phones
  U.S. Federal Communications Commission's Fact Sheet for TTY users making emergency phone calls with their wireless phones.
• FCC Fact Sheet: Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline Telephones
• FCC Fact Sheet: Hearing Aid-Compatibility for Wireless Telephones
• FCC Fact Sheet: Communicating During Emergencies