Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Curt Weldon (R-PA)

This legislation offers a comprehensive approach to ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are met before, during, and after a national disaster. Through ongoing education about special needs populations and the implementation of responsible policies, we can lessen the scope of future disasters and decrease the loss of life in a tragedy.

The bill (HR 4704) would establish a Disability Coordinator within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Disability Coordinator would be appointed by the Secretary after consultation with organizations representing individuals with disabilities, and report directly to the Secretary. The Disability Coordinator will be responsible for providing guidance and coordination in emergency planning and relief efforts, including:

• Educating DHS, other federal agencies, and state and local governmental authorities about the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning and relief.
• Coordinating and disseminating best practices and model evacuation plans.
• Developing curriculum and training materials for governmental officials and first responders on the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Develop a plan for the temporary loan or replacement of medical equipment such as wheelchairs in the case of a disaster.
• Ensuring the accessibility of information about evacuation and disaster relief on telephone hotlines, websites and broadcasts.
• Coordinating accessible transportation options.

The bill also amends the Stafford Disaster Relief Act, the law that authorizes specific federal assistance in times of an emergency in the following ways:

• Authorizes additional financial assistance in reconstruction efforts for homeowners who incorporate enhanced accessibility standards.
• Requires that 30% of temporary housing units provided by the federal government be accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.
• Requires that personnel carrying out federal disaster assistance functions to exert maximum effort to ensure that individuals with disabilities who were living independently before evacuating their homes are offered housing options with similar independence.

Finally, the bill requires the GAO to do a national study of emergency shelters. While such shelters are covered under Titles II and III of the ADA, it is unclear how many of them are accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.

Mark S. Quigley
Director of Communications
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004
202-272-2008