• 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

Personal Communications Technology for Emergencies

The ability to send and receive information is a crucial component of any personal preparedness plan. The ability to receive critical information about an emergency, how to respond to an emergency, and where to go to receive assistance can mean the difference between life or death. Communications also includes the ability of an individual to give vital information about oneself, one’s location, immediate medical needs, and the need for assistance.

The following web sites provide information about communicating during emergencies:

• 2-1-1 Fact Sheet
  U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s Fact sheet on dialing 2-1-1 for Essential community services.
• Access to 9-1-1 and Emergency Services Access
  U.S. Department of Justice’s guide on accessibility of 9-1-1 centers.
• Communicating During Emergencies
  U.S. Federal Communications Commission's fact sheet on telecommunications tips for emergencies.
• Communications After an Emergency
  Disabled People & Disaster Planning's guide to communicating after an emergency.
• Ham Radio for People with Disabilities
  Handi-Ham's resources on amateur radio and persons with disabilities.
• FCC Fact Sheet: Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline Telephones
• FCC Fact Sheet: Hearing Aid-Compatibility for Wireless Telephones
• FCC Fact Sheet: Communicating During Emergencies
• 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.
• 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.
• Accessibility of Emergency Programming
  U.S. Federal Communication Commission's Fact Sheet on requirements for television stations to make their emergency information accessible to persons who are deaf or who are blind.
• The Emergency Alert System (EAS)
  U.S. Federal Communications Commission's fact sheet on the national emergency notification system.
• The Emergency E-mail and Wireless Network
  Receive emergency e-mail notification of natural disasters or other emergencies in your area.