Why Disabled People Are So Often Excluded From Emergency Planning
When people talk about emergency preparedness, they usually talk in broad, confident language. Have a plan. Know your route. Prepare supplies. Stay informed. Act quickly. Follow instructions. Those messages sound simple enough. But for many disabled people, emergency planning is not simple at all. In fact, one of the most overlooked realities of public safety is this: emergency systems are often built around assumptions that leave disabled people out from the start. They assume people can move quickly. They assume people can hear alerts. They assume people can read small print or rushed instructions. They assume people can tolerate noise, crowds, confusion, bright lights, and abrupt changes. They assume people can evacuate stairs, stand in long lines, travel without support, communicate easily with strangers, and function well under intense stress. And when those assumptions are built into emergency planning, disabled people are often placed in danger long...
