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Glossary of Terms
This Glossary of Terms can assist you with understanding terms used throughout the self-assessment
instrument. We realize that definitions and terms in this regard vary widely from state to state.
The definitions provided in this Glossary have been developed for and are specific to this instrument
and its intended use by state developmental disabilities administrators.
Six distinct levels where responsibility must be taken for development and implementation of plans
and procedures to prepare for an emergency situation.
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Individual:
Activities and processes that address the responsibilities and roles of the individuals with disabilities
with regard to emergency preparedness.
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Service Provider:
Agencies and organizations that provide support staff to individuals with disabilities including day
habilitation programs, group homes, supported employment, supported living services, parent centers,
contractors for housing and employment, etc.
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Local/Municipal Authorities:
local entities responsible for emergency preparation, response and recovery including municipalities,
police, fire, emergency medical technicians, local emergency planning authorities, etc.
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County/Regional DD Authorities:
County and regional developmental disability authorities and county case workers providing programs and
services to individuals with disabilities.
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State Agencies:
State agencies that provide programs and services to individuals with disabilities including the State
Developmental Disabilities Director, Department of Human Services, Department of Social Security,
Department of Economic Security, etc.
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National Emergency Preparedness Agencies:
National agencies that provide services during an emergency situation and during recovery from an
emergency including the Department of Homeland Security, National Guard, National Organization on
Disability, Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Centers for Medicaid, Department of
Health and Human Services, Social Security, etc.
Three distinct areas where emergency preparedness planning and preparation must be addressed:
1) Preparing, 2) Responding, and 3) Recovering.
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Preparing: Activities and processes developed and implemented to prepare for an emergency
situation, such as an earthquake, flood, hurricane, tornado, or pandemic.
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Responding:
Activities and processes developed and implemented in response to an emergency situation.
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Recovering:
Activities and process developed and implemented during recovery from an emergency situation.
Ten distinct categories in which emergency preparedness, response to an emergency, and recovery from an
emergency must be addressed by State Developmental Disability Agencies. These include the following:
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Collaboration with State Emergency Officials:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that require collaboration with state emergency officials.
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Stakeholder Involvement:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that include individuals with disabilities in preparation
and planning activities, and that address the specific needs of individuals with disabilities during an
emergency.
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Communication and Coordination:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address issues of communication and coordination
during an emergency, including accessible emergency broadcasts and warnings, appropriate signage at
shelter locations, alternate communication strategies for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, etc..
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Workforce:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the roles and responsibilities of employees
within the developmental disabilities field during an emergency, including personal care attendants,
direct support professionals, case managers, etc.
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Power Generation:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the need for power generation alternatives
during an emergency, including back-up power supplies, continuation or shut down of power supplies within
residential facilities, etc.
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Transportation:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the need for primary and secondary accessible
transportation and alternative evacuation options for individuals with mobility conditions during an
emergency situation, such as accessible buses and vans, use of personal adaptive transportation, etc.
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Identification and Tracking:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the need to identify individuals with
disabilities and to track their location during an emergency situation, including their evacuation and
relocation site, visual identification such as ID badges, etc.
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Evacuation:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the specific needs of individuals with
disabilities related to evacuation during an emergency situation, such as schematic drawings of individual
households or residential facilities, development of emergency medical supply kits, etc.
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Specialized Supports:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the specialized support needs of individuals
with disabilities during an emergency situation, including development of personal emergency fact sheets,
use of community based organizations familiar with disability needs and accommodations to work as first
responders, etc.
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Sheltering:
Emergency preparedness activities and processes that address the specific needs of individuals with
disabilities related to sheltering during an emergency situation, including designation of accessible
shelter locations, keeping individuals with disabilities and their families together during relocation to
a shelter, designated areas within shelters for those with service animals, etc.
ADDITIONAL TERMS
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Community Based Organizations:
This includes organizations such as Arc, parent centers, food shelves, housing and homeless shelters, medical response systems (hospitals, clinics), Centers for Independent Living, and volunteer organizations.
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