Research tells us that when disaster strikes, people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted. In order to comply with federal civil rights requirements, maintain health and safety, and potentially save lives, people with disabilities must have equal access to warnings, evacuation, shelter, disaster services, and other programs for which they are eligible.
Speakers will discuss legal protections for persons with disabilities in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and what their agencies are doing to improve accessibility in all of these areas.
Additionally, data from recent studies on inclusive planning at the local emergency management level will be presented.
Panelists include:
- Lewis Kraus, Co-Director, Pacific ADA Center
- Lecture Topic: Are ADA Coordinators Ensuring Equal Access for People with Disabilities with Respect to Disaster Planning?
- Rebekah Tosado, Section Chief, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Lecture Topic: DHS' Recommendations for Enhancing Access for People with Disabilities
- Stephanie Fell, Senior Policy Advisor/Section 504 Coordintor, FEMA, Office of Equal Rights
- Lecture Topic: Obligations and Ways FEMA is Enhancing Access for People with Disabilities in FEMA Programs
- Robyn Gershon, Clinical Professor of Epidemiology, NYU GPH
- Lecture Topic: Are Offices of Emergency Management Prepared for People with Disabilities?
This event is brought to you by the NYU GPH Advanced Certificate in Public Health Disaster Science, Policy & Practice.