Transcript Slide 1

Disability Awareness
WV Disaster Summit
April 23, 2013
What are Disabilities?
According to American Heritage® Dictionary
dis·a·bil·i·ty (ds-bl-t)
NOUN:
pl. dis·a·bil·i·ties
The condition of being disabled;
incapacity.
The period of such a condition: never
received a penny during her disability.
A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a
physical or mental impairment that interferes
with or prevents normal achievement in a
particular area.
Something that hinders or incapacitates.
Law A legal incapacity or disqualification.
Who does the Government
Classify as Disabled?
• A physical, or cognitive impairment that
substantially limits one or more major
life activities. (sometimes referred to as
an “actual disability”)
or
• a record of a physical or cognitive
impairment that substantially limited a
major life activity.
What are “major life
activities?”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
caring for oneself
performing manual tasks
seeing
hearing
eating
sleeping
walking
standing
9. sitting
10.reaching
11. lifting
12. bending
13. speaking
14. breathing
15. learning
16. reading
18. concentrating
13. thinking
14. Communicating
15. interacting with others
16. working
2010 ADA Revision
• Major life activities include the operation of
major bodily functions, including functions
of the immune system, special sense
organs and skin, normal cell growth,
digestive, genitourinary, bowel, bladder,
neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory,
cardiovascular, endocrine, hemic,
lymphatic, musculoskeletal, and
reproductive functions.
• This will also include the operation of
an individual organ within a body
system (the operation of the kidney,
liver, or pancreas Ect.).
Disability Numbers
There was no attempt to capture the
number of people with disabilities in the
United States until 1970.
According to the 2011 Census
Government Assistance report there
were nearly 46 million people living in
the United States with a disability. This
is approximately 30.4% of the US
population.
2010 Census
In 2010 during the last Census a change
was made on how they counted people with
disabilities.
You were not counted unless you drew a
social security check for a disability.
This has left a large number unaccounted
for.
West Virginia
• 41.7% of the population of West Virginia
is estimated to be disabled. According
to the American Community Survey
compiled by the US Census Bureau.
• This number is for non-institutionalized
people over 18 years of age who
receive public assistance.
People First Language
Generally when speaking about someone
with a disability always refer to the person
and not their disability.
A persons disability should never be used to
define the person. It is only one
characteristic of the whole person.
This way you can focus on the person, and
their needs.
Labels
Labels are used by are society in many
forms, and most have negative
connotations. Some examples of these are:
• Moron
• Idiot
• Special
• Crippled
• Dumb
The “R” Word
Mental Retardation is a term
that is no longer used.
The new term is
Intellectual Disability or IDD
Many States have worked on
legislation to remove
retardation from all laws, and
legislation.
Becoming more aware of issues facing
people with disabilities will help you to
react appropriately, and to resolve
situations during any emergency to keep
everyone safe.
Visual impairment
There is a big difference between total
blindness, and visual impairments. Even
individual's who are legally blind still have
some sight.
• Announce your presence using a normal
tone of voice speaking naturally and
directly to them.
• Do not grab them, but ask to help guide
them first.
•
•
•
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Offer your arm and advise them of any
obstacles you may encounter
including doors, and stairs.
Remember you must communicate
any written material verbally.
Upon reaching your destination orient
them to the surroundings, and ask if
they need any further assistance.
You may have to accommodate their
service animal as well.
Mobility Impairments
• People with mobility issues can usually
express what their mobility, and
transportation needs are.
• Respect their independence as much as
possible.
• Never assume anything ask what their
abilities are without the aid of their
assistive device. (Since many may come
to the shelter without this equipment.)
• Tell the individual what you need to do and
why before you act.
• People with mobility disabilities are
experts on the best way to transfer or
move them. So ask them.
• They also will be a wealth of knowledge
about the best, and number of ways to
evacuate them from a building.
Hard of Hearing or Deaf
• There are many variances in hearing
impairments from the inability to hear
certain sounds to total deafness.
• Hearing aids may only amplify background
noise, or may not be adequate during
stressful situations.
• Establish eye contact with the person (not
the interpreter, should one be present)
• Use both facial expressions, and gestures
to get you point across. Make sure they
understand you.
• You may want to use a note pad, and write
your conversation. Be patient!!!
• It may be difficult to convey the urgency of
the situation.
• Do NOT allow anyone to interrupt you
while you are conveying emergency
information.
• During the evacuation provide them with a
flashlight so they can signal their location
should they become separated from the
rescue team.
Cognitive/Intellectual
(IDD)
• People with cognitive/intellectual
disabilities may require you to give
repeated direct directions.
• Do not talk to adults with
cognitive/intellectual disabilities as if they
were children.
• The instructions given may have to be
direct, and basic since they may have
difficulty remembering or even responding
to your instructions.
• Use short sentences with basic language.
• Use your ID/other objects to help express
who you are, and what you need them to
do.
• Always respect their dignity!
• Offer them your arm to hold while
evacuating.
Psychiatric Disabilities
• People with psychiatric disabilities may
need a lot of reassurance during stressful
situations.
• Their symptoms may worsen during the
emergency.
• Their disability may not be noticeable until
They come under stress.
•
Ask if they have any issues that you can
assist them with. They may, or may not
tell you.
• If you suspect that someone has a
psychiatric disability:
1. Keep all communication simple, and
basic. (do not give complex or multiple
commands)
2. Speak slowly, and in a normal tone of
voice.
3. Should the person become agitated try to
direct them away from the activity, and
take a break.
4. If they are delusional do not try to talk
them out of it, or argue with them.
5. Remain supportive.
6. Do not interrupt disoriented people.
In the shelter
• When you are helping people with
disabilities during and emergency ask
them if they have prepared and
emergency kit to take with them.
• Ask about, and look for:
• ID bracelet, tags or tattoos
• Any assistive technology
• Medication
• Emergency health information card.
• Their emergency contact list.
• Share this with others who maybe
assisting them.
Many people with disabilities are hesitant to
share this information due to how they have
been treated in the past.
This will be especially true when dealing
with the government and large agencies.
Educating yourself about issues facing
people with disabilities, and their potential
medical concerns will help you to respond
quickly and appropriately. It will also help
you to develop creative solutions to most
problems you may encounter.
Long Term Recovery
Just because the snow has
melted or the water has receded
does not mean the disaster is
over.
Appalachian Center for Independent Living
4710 Chimney Drive
Charleston, WV 25302
304-965-0376
1-800-642-3003
Base Counties - Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam
Others served - Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Greenbrier, Jackson, Nicholas,
Pleasants,
Ritchie, Roane, Webster, Wirt, and Wood
Mountain State Center for Independent Living
821 Fourth Avenue 329
Huntington, WV 25701
304-525-3324
Base Counties - Cabell, Raleigh, and Wayne
Others served - Brooke, Fayette, Hancock, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, Mason,
McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Ohio, Summers, Tyler, Wetzel, and
Wyoming
Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living
601-603 East Brockway, Suite A&B
P.O. Box 545
Morgantown, WV 26505
304-296-6091
Base Counties - Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Hampshire,
Harrison, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Monongalia, Morgan, Preston, Randolph,
Taylor, Tucker, and Upshur
Others served - Grant, Hardy, Mineral, Pendleton, and Pocahontas
Questions?
Thank You!
Eric Tissenbaum
Independent Living Advocacy Specialist
Appalachian Centers for Independent Living
Elk Office Center
4710 Chimney Drive, Suite C
Charleston, WV 25302-4804
Phone: 304-965-0376
Fax: 304-965-0377
Toll-free: 800-642-3003 (Voice or TDD)
Email: [email protected]