ACL and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Office of Disability Integration and Coordination (ODIC) are partnering on a four-part webinar series to support people with disabilities – and the organizations that serve them – before, during, and after disasters. Older adults and people with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by emergencies. People with disabilities are two to four times more likely to die or be injured, and older adults often represent the majority of fatalities resulting from extreme weather, natural hazards, and public emergencies including climate emergencies like heatwaves, hurricanes, and floods. Local aging and disability organizations are on the forefront of addressing issues and needs in their communities in partnership with emergency management, public health, and other organizations. Federal partners are integrating efforts to better support state and local organizations as they build strong and resilient communities. This webinar series will focus on how this work is implemented at all levels of emergency management. The first of the four webinars is focused on Midwest disasters and the unique issues surrounding tornados, flooding, excessive heat, and other disasters and emergencies. This “fireside chat” with Alison Barkoff, who leads ACL, and Sherman Gillums Jr., Ed.D., who serves as the FEMA Disability Coordinator and ODIC Director, will address the importance of collaboration, partnership, and stakeholder relationships in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Their discussion will be followed by a brief Q&A session.Next, leaders from ACL’s aging and disability grantees in Midwest states will discuss their experiences collaborating at the state and community levels to ensure older adults and people with disabilities are involved in emergency and disaster planning.Speakers:
- Kristen Larsen, Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities, Division of Public Health, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Marcia Davis, Senior Emergency Management Officer for the Division of Senior and Disability Services, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
ASL and CART will be provided. If you need other accommodations to participate, please contact marcia.gordon@acl.hhs.gov by close of business on Monday, April 15.The webinar will be recorded and posted on ACL.gov.
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