Mobile App Monday - Kidofon

Got a kid who has trouble using his iPhone? Kidofon is a very user-friendly app that helps kids make calls to family, providers, or even emergency personnel. Photos from the phone's library can be used as contact pictures or avatars in the app can be used such as police or fireman.

For more information about this app, please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id1006219796

Mobile App Monday - ICE Standard with Smart911™

Looking for an app to help provide medical information in case of an emergency? ICE Standard applications - the #1 Emergency Information Apps on iTunes - can help save your life. They do this by putting your emergency health information on the lock screen of your phone so EMTs can get it as quickly as possible, and by working with Smart911™ so that if you call 911 while in a Smart911-enabled community, 911 operators get your medical information automatically. -iTunes

See more information about this app at:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ice-standard-smart911-official/id412786820?mt=8

Webinar: Including Emergency Management in Independent Living Centers

FEMA Promising Practice: 

Including Emergency Management in Independent Living Centers to Maximize Potential for Whole Community Preparedness

November 13th, 2014

Time: 2:30pm ET

Without cooperative and inclusive approaches to emergency preparedness and management, people with disabilities will be greatly impacted during all phases of disaster. This presentation will engage audiences on how offices of emergency management can work with disability organizations to increase inclusive emergency management practices within local communities. Additionally, this session will explore innovative ways disability organizations can organize to provide resources towards disaster systems.

Registration: Free on-line at http://www.adapresentations.org/registration.php

Advice from the FDA on medical devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created a booklet for those who use medical devices that require electricity to operate, Home Use Devices: How to Prepare For and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices that Require Electricity. This could be especially useful for people with disabilities. In the event of a power outage, this booklet serves as "an established plan to obtain and organize your medical device information, take necessary actions so that you can continue to use your device, have the necessary supplies for the operation of your device, and know where to go or what to do during a power outage."

To read and print the FDA's booklet, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/HomeHealthandConsumer/UCM252812.pdf

FEMA and Disability Integration

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently disbursed its monthly newsletter, the Disability Integration Update. If you didn't get one, the newsletter is "a monthly compilation of news, events and resources related to disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities by and for people with disabilities or access and functional needs." It is meant to offer information for FEMA Region V partners interested in inclusive emergency management. Stories in January's issue include:

• Home Heating Safety
• FEMA Hiring Disability Integration Advisor Reservists
• US Department of Justice Publishes New Technical Assistance Documents
• Federal Hiring of People with Disabilities Increases

Want a copy? Comments, questions and requests for alternate formats can be directed to Jessica Mitchell, Region V Disability Integration Specialist, at 312-408-5499 or Jessica.mitchell@fema.dhs.gov.

Disaster preparedness for people with disabilities

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has put together a unique instructional video containing information specific to Americans with disabilities or other access and functional needs regarding emergency or disaster preparedness. See the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLLMDOScE4g&feature=youtube_gdata

New Database for Emergency Personnel

The City of Bloomington has announced a new voluntary citizens with disabilities registration system now available for use by first responders, providing immediate access to disability-specific information in emergency situations. The Bloomington/Monroe County Special Needs Database for First Responders gives dispatch, police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians visual-, hearing- and mobility-impairment information for those who have registered with the database.

"Anything that can help emergency personnel provide the highest level of care as quickly as possible is a big win for everyone," said Mayor Mark Kruzan. "This really is a great initiative that can only affect the community in a positive way."

Individuals with disabilities or family members of people with disabilities who would like to be included in this database may register at http://bloomington.in.gov/specialneedsdispatch. The registration form also may be completed and mailed to: Bloomington/Monroe County Special Needs Database, 220 E. 3rd Street, Bloomington, IN 47401. Those who need assistance completing the form may call 349-3429 or e-mail human.rights@bloomington.in.gov.

After registration, a City representative will contact registrants every six months to ensure the information is up to date.

“This database is an extremely important step toward effective emergency preparedness for individuals with disabilities in Monroe County," said Katie Herron, Chair of the City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility. "Information gathered in this database will allow first responders to maximize the effectiveness and quality of care provided. Having disability-specific information prior to arriving at the scene of an emergency could mean the difference between life and death.”

For more information, contact Barbara McKinney at 349-3429 or human.rights@bloomington.in.gov.