Emergency Guidance for Individuals with Disabilities
Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Recovery for Every Resident
Volusia County is dedicated to ensuring that residents with disabilities, access or functional needs, and medically dependent conditions are included in every phase of emergency planning and disaster response. Whether you live independently, with a caregiver, or in a group setting, your safety and access to resources are a priority before, during, and after a storm.
Before the Storm: Plan and Prepare
1. Register for the Special Needs Shelter
If you depend on medical equipment, require routine care, or have mobility challenges, you may be eligible for sheltering in a designated Special Needs Shelter.
Services may include:
- Backup power for oxygen concentrators or ventilators
- Access to refrigeration for insulin and other temperature-sensitive medications
- Assistance with basic personal care (eating, hygiene, mobility)
- Shelter staff trained in disability sensitivity and basic medical assistance
Register for Special Needs Sheltering
For help registering or questions about eligibility, call 386-254-1500. It is recommended to Register well in advance of hurricane season to ensure adequate planning and transportation coordination.
2. Build a Customized Emergency Kit
Prepare a 72-hour emergency supply kit tailored to your disability, including:
Medical and Personal Care Supplies:
- Extra medications and prescriptions (minimum 7-day supply)
- Backup batteries and chargers for hearing aids, power wheelchairs, and devices
- Copies of medical history, medication list, allergies, etc.
- Specialized hygiene items (catheters, incontinence supplies, adaptive toileting tools)
- Assistive technology: communication boards, screen readers, magnifiers
Personalized Instructions:
- Printed instructions for care routines or communication needs
- List of emergency contacts with relation and phone numbers
- Labels on medical devices and medications with user instructions
Comfort and Communication Aids:
- Weighted blanket or fidget tools (for neurodiverse individuals)
- ASL interpretation card or written communication card
- Flashlights, NOAA radio, and a solar-powered phone charger
3. Create a Personal Emergency Support Network
People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to identify a trusted group of helpers who can assist them during an emergency.
This may include:
- Family members
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Personal care attendants
- Home health aides
Discuss your plan in advance, including:
- How to evacuate
- How to transport mobility or medical equipment
- What to do if communication is limited or disrupted
- Who has access to your house key or building access code
Consider writing down your plan and giving copies to your support team.
Evacuation Transportation and Accessibility Options
Through Votran, Volusia County’s public transportation system, the County offers accessible evacuation transportation to an emergency shelter for residents without personal transportation options. Information about bus stops and routes to get to an emergency shelter will be announced well in advance before a storm’s impacts.
Services include:
- Lift-equipped buses or vans for wheelchair users
- Assistance with boarding and deboarding
Those who need medically-required transportation should contact their healthcare provider or contact the Citizens Information Center at 866-345-0345 as soon as possible to explore safe transportation.
It is critical to make evacuation transportation arrangements as soon as possible. Votran and other transportation providers will halt operations once conditions have deteriorated beyond it being reasonable for them to travel safely.
Accessible Shelter Options in Volusia County
All Volusia County shelters meet ADA accessibility requirements, but Special Needs Shelters are specifically designed for those with medical dependencies or mobility impairments.
General Population Shelters Include:
- ADA-compliant entrances and walkways
- Accessible restrooms and common areas
Special Needs Shelters Also Offer:
- Medical supervision and power backup for essential equipment
- Refrigerated storage for medications
- Assistance with daily tasks (to the extent possible)
- Separation from high-traffic general shelter populations
- One caregiver per disabled person is authorized to stay
Special Needs Shelters do not provide personal caregivers, hospital beds, or intensive medical care. If you require these services, work with your doctor to develop a plan prior to an emergency.
Communication Accessibility and Alerts
AlertVolusia Emergency Notifications
Stay informed with real-time alerts via:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Voice calls (landline or mobile)
- Caregiver notifications (alerts can be sent to multiple contacts)
Accessible Information Channels:
- All emergency updates on the County’s website and social media accounts are screen-reader compatible and are able to be translated into various languages other than English.
- Radio alerts are provided through NOAA Weather Radio, which is available with audio amplification and visual alerting features.
