Tsunami
Early warning of an approaching tsunami must allow enough time for persons from at-risk groups to take protective measures.
- To ensure early warning messages reach everyone, warnings with actionable information should be delivered in multiple formats (including visual and audible instructions in text, spoken words and pictures) accessible to persons with diverse disabilities.
- In addition, trained community volunteers may need to inform door-to-door persons with disabilities and older persons who cannot leave their homes about the approaching tsunami.
- If using a megaphone or a loudspeaker, be aware that not everyone will hear or understand the message. Use short and clear, action-oriented messages.
- For persons who may need assistance or additional time to evacuate to a higher or safer location due to mobility difficulties, evacuation assistance should be available as soon as a tsunami warning is issued. Therefore, as part of preparedness planning, prior identification of individuals who may need assistance in evacuation is required.
- Self-determination must be respected, and this includes the decision of persons with disabilities to shelter-in-place or evacuate.
- Evacuation routes and paths as well as shelters or collective centres should be accessible for everyone.
- Rescue teams or individuals assisting persons with disabilities to evacuate (e.g., personal support network) should be prepared in inclusive evacuation techniques up front. If this is not possible, ask persons with disabilities how they would like to be evacuated when starting the evacuation process.
- They should also be aware of the importance of securing assistive devices and medication of persons with disabilities, older persons and persons who are chronically ill during the evacuation.
- In addition to the basic needs required by everyone, persons with disabilities should plan to take along particular items such as medicines, supplies, and assistive devices (e.g., hearing aids and batteries, white cane, service animal, heavy-duty gloves for pushing wheelchair through mud, debris, etc.).