Having a practical plan in place ahead of when disaster strikes is important for everyone in the community and that is why council wants to ensure people with disability, and their carers, are receiving the right support.
Local Disaster Management Group Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said Friday 23 September 2022 is International Day of Sign Languages and a timely reminder to ensure residents with disability are ready for emergencies.
“People with disability are more vulnerable to injury and social isolation during a disaster, but this risk can be reduced with the right preparation,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council has been working with the community to promote the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction framework which aims to ensure the needs and voices of people with disability are included in disaster preparedness.”
Local Disaster Management Group Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said there are several ways people with disability and their carers can prepare for natural disaster and emergencies.
“On council’s website, people can access the Person Centred Emergency Preparedness Workbook which outlines how to build an emergency plan based around individual support needs,” Cr Milligan said.
“There are AUSLAN and captions on council’s Emergency Management YouTube channel which has short videos on how to be ready ahead of the disaster season.
“Residents should also download the BOM Weather App on their phone and subscribe to the Ipswich Disaster Dashboard to access up to date emergency information.”
People with disability are more vulnerable to injury and social isolation during a disaster, but this risk can be reduced through emergency preparedness. Emergency preparedness means taking steps to ensure you are safe before, during and after an emergency.
Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) means making sure the needs and voices of people with disability are included in disaster risk management.
To achieve this, council is partnering with the Queenslanders with Disability Network, the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at The University of Sydney and the Queensland Government, to promote the DIDRR Framework and Person-Centred Emergency Planning for people with disabilities and their carers.
For more details about emergency preparedness go to council’s website.
To join the Queenslanders with Disability Network Ipswich Peer Support Group, visit their website.
Local Disaster Management Group Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said there are fantastic services people with disability and their carers can access.
“Connect to the Queenslanders with Disability Network Ipswich Peer Support Group to stay connected with support in the local area,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“While we are all getting better at preparing for natural disasters, studies show that people with disability are twice as likely to find themselves socially isolated during an emergency.
“Everyone should be prepared for extreme weather or fire as preparedness is our best defence against disaster.”
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