Disaster Preparedness & Disability

Always Prepare in Advance

Some disasters such as hurricanes come with warning, while others such as fires and floods require in the moment responses. Yet whether we have notice or not there are several things you can do today that will help you respond with your disability in mind. Planning ahead can make your whole family feel more confident. 

Stay Informed

The FEMA app allows you to receive real-time weather alerts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards, and more. Sign up for the FEMA app here.

Here is Miami Dade County’s Hurricane Handbook 2025.

Here is Miami Dade County’s Hurricane Preparedness website.

Here is Ready.gov an excellent resource across disability

Although local government provides evacuation help, it’s best to have your own plan. You can register for Miami-Dade’s Special Needs/Evacuation Assistance Program (EEAP) and for accessible transport and shelters call 305-513-7700 or email eeap@miamidade.gov. 

Plan Now

How does disability impact your daily needs? The best way to understand that is involve the person in your planning. Ask what medicines, toys, foods, drinks, and objects are important to your daily experience? Is structure and routine important?  Do you need continuous access to power for mobility devices, communication devices or medical equipment? What would you need for 3 days away from home? Make a list of these important items for a Go Bag. Identify two routes and destination options for your evacuation. Have a paper map. Share your hurricane evacuation plans with people in the area and outside of Miami.

Prepare an Emergency Go Bag Now

Create a Go Bag which contains your important items, paper copies of prescriptions, insurance cards, list of important phone numbers, and identification documents. Scan these documents and save them to the Cloud and email them to yourself.  Empty and review your Go Bag every May before Hurricane season begins. 

Bring these essentials to any shelter:

  • Sleeping mat/cot, pillows & blankets
  • Medications and chemical cold packs in case refrigeration is not available
  • Assistive devices & backup power
  • Hygiene items & toiletries
  • Communication aids/personal alerts
  • Cash, bottled water, non-perishables
  • Comfort items (books, sensory items) 

Communication

Use multiple communication methods with your family—such as visual, auditory, and tactile— to ensure that emergency instructions are clear and accessible to everyone.

Here is a social narrative using visuals on hurricanes from the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities University of South Florida.  

Local Experts

For expert local assistance, reach out to organizations dedicated to disability advocacy and support: this page from the Center for Independent Living of South Florida (CIL) reviews disaster preparedness and this page from the Disability Independence Group (DIG) reviews their services. Both offer guidance, legal resources, and personalized preparedness tips for people with disabilities in Miami. 

Their teams can help you develop a tailored evacuation strategy, connect you with community services, and ensure your rights and access needs are fully supported during hurricane season.