Blog | Tag: Disaster Preparedness

Common fire-safety advice often tells people not to use elevators during a fire. People who cannot use the stairs may also have been told to wait in a stairwell for firefighters to help them evacuate. Both ideas have some basis in fire and building safety rules, but neither one is a universal instruction that applies to every building. The safest response depends on the building, the type of emergency, the evacuation features available, and the building's emergency plan. For people with disabilities, that makes learning about emergency evacuation before an alarm sounds especially important.

People with disabilities in Florida faced many obstacles this year. These barriers are not new, but 2025 made it clear there is still a long way to go before everyone can live, work, and participate fully in their community.

Emergencies can happen to anyone. But for people with disabilities, the risks are often greater. When emergency plans fail to include everyone, it can result in people being left without access to shelter, transportation, communication, or life-saving services. These are not just oversights—they can become violations of civil rights.

Disaster preparedness is not just during hurricane season but occurs throughout the year. Folks with disabilities should make a plan to be ready for hurricanes and other disasters.