Disaster Resilience
Were you impacted by the recent severe weather events in Texas? For information and resources to help you recover, see our Hurricane Beryl page or our Spring Severe Weather and Flooding Event page.
For information related to this topic that is provided in American Sign Language (ASL), visit our Disaster Resilience Videos in ASL Page.
Disability Rights Texas works to help Texans with disabilities prepare for, and recover from, disasters and emergencies. That’s called “Disaster Resilience.” Below you’ll find information about your rights, how to stay safe, who can help you, and more.
Make sure to sign up for local emergency alerts and have local emergency numbers available in case a disaster strikes. You can also subscribe to our special Disaster Resilience email list for news and resources to help you.
If you need legal assistance because you believe your rights are being violated, please see our How to Apply for Services page.
Featured Resources
Winter Emergency Supplies Checklist for People with Disabilities
If there’s a winter storm, you could be stuck at home for a few days without power. Learn about the supplies you might want to keep on hand. Continue reading “Winter Emergency Supplies Checklist for People with Disabilities”
Emergency Ready Sheet
The Emergency Ready Sheet helps people with disabilities keep important information in one place in case a disaster or emergency strikes. Continue reading “Emergency Ready Sheet”
How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?
This video covers what people with disabilities need to know to prepare for a disaster. Learn what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Watch the video “How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?”
Handouts
Make Sure Your Child Doesn’t Fall Behind Due to Beryl
If your child missed special education services, make sure the school helps your child stay on track with their IEP. Continue reading “Make Sure Your Child Doesn’t Fall Behind Due to Beryl”
Be Prepared to Shelter in Place During the Winter
Learn how to stay safe and warm if you have to shelter in place due to severe winter weather. Continue reading “Be Prepared to Shelter in Place During the Winter”
Food and Water During a Disaster
If a disaster impacts your access to food and water, learn about how food banks, SNAP, and other resources can help you. Continue reading “Food and Water During a Disaster”
Cybersecurity for People with Disabilities
Learn how people with disabilities can use cybersecurity to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks that can put you at risk. Continue reading “Cybersecurity for People with Disabilities”
Consumer Protection for People with Disabilities After a Disaster
Learn how people with disabilities can access consumer protections and avoid getting scammed after a disaster. Continue reading “Consumer Protection for People with Disabilities After a Disaster”
Maintaining Healthcare When Disaster Strikes
Planning for your healthcare needs could help you stay healthy and independent during a disaster. Continue reading “Maintaining Healthcare When Disaster Strikes”
Medications and Disasters
Learn how you can you still have access to your medications if a disaster or emergency turns your life upside down. Continue reading “Medications and Disasters”
Disaster Mental Health Care
Learn how you can get mental health care if you experience a disaster or emergency. Continue reading “Disaster Mental Health Care”
Be Prepared for Texas Heat & Wildfires
Learn how people with disabilities and service animals can be prepared for Texas’s extreme heat and wildfires. Continue reading “Be Prepared for Texas Heat & Wildfires”
How to Be Financially Ready for Disasters
Learn how you can be financially ready so you can respond and recover when a disaster strikes. Continue reading “How to Be Financially Ready for Disasters”
Weather & Emergency Alerts for Texans with Disabilities
Weather and emergency alerts can help Texans with disabilities prepare for what’s coming and respond to what happened. Continue reading “Weather & Emergency Alerts for Texans with Disabilities”
Tips for Selecting Weather & Emergency Alerts
Use our tips to help you select weather and emergency alert options that will work for you. Continue reading “Tips for Selecting Weather & Emergency Alerts”
Weather Radios: What People with Disabilities Need to Know
Weather radios can provide accessible weather and emergency alerts for people with disabilities. Continue reading “Weather Radios: What People with Disabilities Need to Know”
Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency
This handout answers many questions you might have when navigating an emergency or disaster in your community. Continue reading “Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency”
Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters
Learn about your rights under the ADA when staying at a hotel or shelter, and also how the Federal Fair Housing Act impacts where you live. Continue reading “Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters”
Publications
Self-Advocacy and Being Disaster Ready
Learn how you can use self-advocacy so you are better prepared for the next disaster or emergency you’ll face. Continue reading “Self-Advocacy and Being Disaster Ready”
Hurricane Preparedness for Texans with Disabilities
Get prepared so you’re ready for the impact of a hurricane and aware of what resources might become available to help you recover. Continue reading “Hurricane Preparedness for Texans with Disabilities”
Videos
Advancing Disability Climate Justice in the Courts
In this webinar, panelists analyzed recent trends in climate litigation in order to make recommendations for how climate litigators can better incorporate the unique climate risks faced by persons with disabilities into their litigation strategies. Watch the video “Advancing Disability Climate Justice in the Courts”
After A Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance
Anyone can be a target for identity theft and scams after a disaster. Learn what you can do before and after a disaster to protect yourself. Watch the video “After A Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance”
Disaster Housing Advice
In this video, get advice about how to access housing after a disaster. Learn about the programs available to help you and how to prepare. Watch the video “Disaster Housing Advice”
Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross
Learn about the disaster services provided by the American Red Cross and how their services can help people with disabilities recover from disasters. Watch the video “Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross”
External Links
- Emergency Communication Aid
A communication aid helps people with limited language skills communicate better with the people around them.
- Evacuation Chairs
Evacuation chairs can be useful when navigating workplace, home, and transportation emergencies.
- Accessible Hazard Alert System
Accessible emergency alerts are available in some cities.
- FEMA's Text to Shelter Service
Text “shelter” and your ZIP code to 43362 to get a list of shelters within 200 miles.
- Appeal a FEMA Decision
Use this tool to create your appeal letter.
- FEMA accessible videos
- Disability Rights in Disasters (Disaster Assistance Manual) - TexasLawHelp.org
- Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center - National Disaster Legal Aid
- Disasters and Emergencies - Ready
- Texas Ready
- Preparing, recovering, and rebuilding after disasters and emergencies - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Emergency Alerts - Ready
- State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) - Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Programs - Texas General Land Office
- The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
- Disaster Housing Recovery - National Low Income Housing Coalition
- Emergency Management - Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
Related Items
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- 2024 Disaster Resilience Survey shows Texans with disabilities less prepared, more worried
- Houston region to host inaugural clinic for people with disabilities May 4
- 2024 Disaster Resilience Survey
- Survey reveals disaster preparedness gaps for Texans with disabilities
- Take Responsibility for Your Disaster Preparedness