[NFBofAlaska] Important Information from FEMA and survey from Alaskans with Disabilities

Thu Dec 16 04:47:08 UTC 2021

Hello,

Below is information for winter safety from FEMA and attached is the results
of a survey from Alaskans with disabilities. Write or call if you have
questions.

Winter safety tips to help you get through the severe weather: 

*	Stay informed. Watch the local news, listen to local radio, use
smartphone apps to receive up to date weather information. Sign up for local
text alerts. 
*	Be ready to help each other! Check in with emergency support
contacts (neighbors, caregivers, family, friends, and personal assistance
providers) before bad weather happens.
*	Being out in snow and cold can put extra stress on the heart and
respiratory systems.  Avoid overexertion by limiting or omitting activities
like shoveling or traveling through snow.
*	Wear layered clothing, gloves, hat, scarf, & a warm coat. For
individuals who use wheelchairs, wrap a blanket around your legs to keep
warm 
*	Let someone know when you are going to leave, where you are going
and when you plan to be back 
*	Freezing rain and snow can stick to adaptive equipment (canes,
walker, wheelchairs, scooters).  Wear gloves to keep hands warm and provide
better grip on devices. Wear good shoes/boots to avoid falls.
*	Protect your service animal's feet, use boots or clean them off once
you get inside. 
*	Clean your adaptive equipment after being outside. Make sure you
clean off any salt or other de-icing chemicals to avoid rust. 
*	Use Ice melt products or non-clumping kitty litter for extra
traction on ice. 
*	Stay healthy: Water, non-perishable food, can opener, food for
children pets/ service animals, medication supply, hygiene items, first-aid
kit 
*	Electricity powered devices: if you rely on electricity to maintain
your independence, ask your power company about a priority power list. 
*	Oxygen: If you rely on oxygen talk to your vendor about emergency
replacements 
*	Dialysis or other types of specialized medical treatments: talk to
your health provider about what to do in the event of a winter storm or
other emergency.
*	If you must travel, first call your transportation service. Van
services may only provide trips that are medically necessary during a major
snow event. Even then, these services cannot provide transportation for you
if they cannot get to you.
*	When leaving the house, have an emergency kit with essential
medications and some extra food and water. Make sure the kit is small enough
to bring with you. If you have a service animal, make the kit has supplies
for them as well.

Ready.gov
Individuals with Disabilities | Ready.gov; Personas con discapacidades |
Ready.gov 
Printable fact sheet: Be prepared for a winter storm (ready.gov) 
Winter Weather | Ready.gov

1.       Sharable graphics:
Holiday Safety Social Media Toolkit | Ready.gov
Personal Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities Social Media
Toolkit | Ready.gov

Easterseals
Winter Preparedness Guide

Pacific ADA Center
Power Planning Checklist

Thanks

Danielle Bailey

Regional Disability Integration Specialist | External Affairs Division |
Region 10

Mobile/Text: (425) 381-3400

 <mailto:danielle.bailey at fema.dhs.gov> danielle.bailey at fema.dhs.gov |
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Federal Emergency Management Agency

<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fema.g
ov%2F&data=04%7C01%7Clanny.mommsen%40alaska.gov%7C646ffb36152542b7229e08d9ba
638085%7C20030bf67ad942f7927359ea83fcfa38%7C0%7C0%7C637745759716144285%7CUnk
nown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXV
CI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=DXWDBozJfz%2FI7kACigSIa3ml1n2phMooj7dCKuq8mOQ%3D&rese
rved=0> fema.gov

Bonnie Lucas
President
National Federation of the Blind of Alaska
Cell: 907-301-6808

Email: lucas.bonnie at gmail.com <mailto:lucas.bonnie at gmail.com> 

Web: alaskanfb.org <https://alaskanfb.org/> 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

[Delegate-BML]

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