Access and Functional Needs and Emergency Preparedness
A key part of emergency preparedness is supporting the people at highest risk during an emergency. People who have “access and functional needs” are those who may have difficulty understanding what to do, having or getting what they need, or being somewhere safe in an emergency. These people often need extra help before, during, and after an emergency Examples include people with disabilities, those with limited English proficiency, and older adults[]. Preparedness and communication strategies must be useful for everyone, including people with access and functional needs. Doing so will ensure all people in a community are ready for an emergency event.
[EM9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Access and Functional Needs Toolkit: Integrating a Community Partner Network to Inform Risk Communication Strategies. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)