Special Considerations for People with Disabilities Maintain a list of important items and store it with your emergency supplies. 08/21/06 Courtesy of FEMA Respond to this story Email this story to a friend Create a network of relatives, friends, or co-workers to assist in an emergency If you think you may need assistance in a disaster, discuss your disability with relatives, friends, or co-workers and ask for their help. For example, if you need help moving or require special arrangements to receive emergency messages, make a plan with friends. Make sure they know where you keep your disaster supplies. People with disabilities, or those who have mobility problems (such as elderly persons), should also prepare for emergencies and disasters. They may want to consider some of the following additional steps: Give a key to a neighbor or friend who may be able to assist you in a disaster. Maintain a list of important items and store it with your emergency supplies. Give a copy to another family member and a friend or neighbor. Important items might include: Special equipment and supplies; for example, hearing aid batteries Current prescription names and dosages Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacists Detailed information about the specifications of your medication regimen Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to identify you: It will identify your disability in case of an emergency. These may save your life if you are in need of medicine If you are unconscious and unable to communicate. Know the location and availability of more than on facility if you are dependent on a dialysis machine other life-sustaining equipment or treatment. There may be several people requiring equipment or facilities may have been affected by the disaster. Courtesy of FEMA Rodney says, “Maintain a list of important items and store it with your emergency supplies."