Printable Family Emergency Plan

Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency. Before an emergency happens, sit down together and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

Download a Family Emergency Plan from ready.gov.

Creating a photo emergency information card with life-saving details

Create an emergency information card with a digital photo of the person, to be carried in the wallet. More >

Training and Public Education

http://www.wid.org/training

Disability Benefits & Income

http://www.wid.org/resources

Math Resources for People with Disabilities

From: http://mathforum.org/library/ed_topics/equity_disabled/



EASI Street to Science, Engineering, and Math (SEM)


Equal access to software and information: an NSF-sponsored project to collect and disseminate information on tools that make these fields more accessible to professionals with disabilities. Online workshops, Webcasts, links to programs for the visually impaired, those with learning disabilities, the hard-of-hearing, social barriers to SEM access, resources for tactile graphics/three-dimensional models, etc.
more>>

  • Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI)


    An affiliate of the Association for the Advancement of Higher Education dedicated to disseminating up-to-date information about providing equal access to computing and information technology for persons with disabilities. E-mail Workshops, on-site seminars on Adaptive Computing, and assistance in making information technology accessible with the use of state-of-the-art adaptive computing technology are available for universities, colleges, schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
    more>>


  • Family Village School - Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison


    Resources related to education for families with a child who has disabilities, plus additional resources JUST FOR KIDS. Pages with links to sites for: Advocacy and Public Policy; Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities; "Disability Awareness" Educational Resources; Computers and Technology: Hardware and Software; Early Intervention Resources; Government Agencies; IDEA and Other Education Related Laws; Inclusive / Special Education Resources; Individual Education Plan Resources; Parent Training and Information Centers; and Transition. From Family Village, a global community of disability-related resources.
    more>>

  • LD Online, the interactive guide to learning disabilities for parents, teachers, and children


    A vast array of information on topics within the area of learning disabilities, LD In-Depth offers articles, research findings, and useful forums, including an area specifically devoted to dyscalculia, or learning disorders in math. See also 10 Tips for Software Selection for Math Instruction and Accessing Challenging Math Curriculum.
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  • A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

    Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

    http://www.ada.gov/workta.htm

    Alzheimer's Quality of Life - Ten Caregiver's Tips

    Alzheimer's Quality of Life - Ten Caregiver's Tips
    via The Caregiver's Beacon - Resources, Alzheimers and Dementia, Self-Care, Healthcare, Disability by Kristi Marie Gott on 5/6/08


    Ten tips for creating the best quality of life for your loved one who has Alzheimer's are offered below. Not only can these tips help an Alzheimer's sufferer to have a better day, but it will help you, as the caregiver, to enjoy your day too.

    1. ROUTINE. Establish a regular routine so a daily schedule is followed. If meals, bedtime, and exercising are at regular times confusion and frustration will be decreased.

    2. PAIN CONTROL. Alzheimer's sufferers may not be able to communicate or verbalize when they are in pain. Chronic arthritis and other sources of pain need to be addressed by treatment from a medical doctor.

    3. MEALS THAT APPEAL. Knowing the foods and cooking styles that the person always enjoyed will help the caregiver prepare favorite foods that will be willingly consumed as well as enjoyed. It makes a big difference in terms of enjoyment and consuming a balanced diet.

    4. RESTING COMFORTABLY. Positioning someone who has chronic pain and stiffness from arthritis, joint replacements and other sources is an art. For example, someone sitting in an easy chair with a footstool may feel more comfortable with pillows behind the back and neck, under the arms on the armrests, and/or under the knees on the footstool. Experiment with extra body pillows for comfort in bed to enable a good night's rest.

    5. EXERCISE. A regular daily exercise schedule might include a variety of physical therapy and range of motion exercises. The physical therapist can show the caregiver how to assist and provide illustrations of the exercises. Exercise relieves stiffness, pain and stress among other things.

    6. LEAVING THE HOUSE FOR OUTINGS - Plan and prepare ahead because often at the last minute the person suffering from Alzheimer's will think of more things that need to be done before leaving. If you prepare everything, then rest for a half hour or so before actually leaving, this breaks up the flow of activity and allows time to relax before leaving.

    7. AVOID CAREGIVER BURN-OUT. Having caregiver relief lets the caregiver have some time out when he or she is not assisting someone or poised to do so. The stress level can become chronic for caregivers and finding a way for relief is critical.

    8. ROTATE CAREGIVERS. Each person offers a different specialty and personality. Rotating caregivers can give the Alheimer's sufferer a change of pace, and relief from boredom. It's important to have good caregiver notes so when the caregivers rotate they can follow the same routine.

    9. ACTIVITIES. Finding ways to spend quality time day after day is one of the biggest challenges. Adding a variety of activities will make the day have quality time for the Alzheimer's sufferer, and for the caregiver. Arts and crafts, conversation and visiting, container gardening, puzzles, movies, outings, cooking, and other interests can make a dull day into a good day. Frustration and wandering may be decreased by focusing on involvement with activities.

    10. TRAINING CAREGIVERS. Studies have proven that a trained caregiver experiences less stress and is more able to provide quality assistance. Caregivers can contact the
    Alzheimers Association or the American Foundation for Alzheimers in order to receive training and join a support group.

    10 Ways To Help Seniors Prepare For Disaster

    Greensboro, NC -- Following are 10 ways that seniors, their families and caregivers can prepare for a natural disaster, according to Home Instead Senior Care and the American Red Cross.

    1. Be informed. Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike your area.

    2. Complete a personal assessment. A senior should determine what he or she can or can't do before, during and after a disaster. Make a list of those needs and resources that can meet them. The following American Red Cross publications should help: Preparing for Disaster for People with Disability and Other Special Needs (A4497), and Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities (A5091).

    3. Make a plan. Schedule a family meeting to assess your needs in an emergency and develop a plan of action. Include in your plan key people in your life - such as neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers - who could help. Remember to include pets in your plan.

    4. Know where to get information during an emergency, either through the local television, radio or NOAA weather radio. Have available a battery-operated radio. Different alarms are available to notify people with medical conditions of impending disaster, such as a strobe alarm for the hearing-impaired.

    5. Discuss multiple escape routes. Like all families and households, seniors should develop at least two escape routes, one out of their home in case of a fire when they need to get out of the home quickly and out of the area in case they need to evacuate their community. (The local emergency management office can tell you escape routes out of the community.) Designate a place to meet other relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan at least twice a year.

    6. Know when to go or to stay and how to make the decision to stay or leave. When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance from others.

    7. Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Have an easy-to-carry kit with three days non-perishable food and water with an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Have at least one gallon of water per person per day. Bottled water may be easier to store and carry. Refresh and replace your supplies at least twice a year.

    8. Remember medications and other essentials. Copies of prescriptions, extra eye glasses and hearing-aid batteries, along with paper products such as toilet paper, should be part of your disaster supplies kit. Label every piece of important equipment or personal item in case they are lost.

    9. Make a list of contact telephone numbers. The list should include people on a senior's support network as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals. Log on to www.redcross.org/contactcard for a sample contact card that can be used.

    10. Call a professional caregiver if you or your loved one needs extra help




    Source: Home Instead Senior Care & The American Red Cross


    Copyright: 2008 digtriad.com