Disaster Preparedness and Recovery
For information related to this topic that is provided in American Sign Language (ASL), visit our Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Videos in ASL Page.
Disability Rights Texas works to help Texans with disabilities prepare for, and recover from, disasters and emergencies. Below you’ll find information about your rights, how to stay safe, who can help you, and more.
Make sure to sign up for local emergency alerts and have local emergency numbers available in case a disaster strikes.
If you need legal assistance because you believe your rights are being violated, please see our How to Apply for Services page.
Featured Resources
Emergency Ready Sheet
The Emergency Ready Sheet helps people with disabilities keep important information in one place in case a disaster or emergency strikes. Continue reading “Emergency Ready Sheet”
How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?
This video covers what people with disabilities need to know to prepare for a disaster. Learn what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Watch the video “How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?”
Handouts
Can My Landlord Evict Me Due to Damage from the Winter Storm?
If your landlord is evicting you so damage caused by the winter storm can be repaired, learn about your rights and options. Continue reading “Can My Landlord Evict Me Due to Damage from the Winter Storm?”
Texas Winter Storm Recovery Resources
If you are trying to recover from the Texas winter storm, this handout includes information and resources that can help. Continue reading “Texas Winter Storm Recovery Resources”
Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency
This handout answers many questions you might have when navigating an emergency or disaster in your community. Continue reading “Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency”
Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters
Learn about your rights under the ADA when staying at a hotel or shelter, and also how the Federal Fair Housing Act impacts where you live. Continue reading “Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters”
Videos
After A Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance
Anyone can be a target for identity theft and scams after a disaster. Learn what you can do before and after a disaster to protect yourself. Watch the video “After A Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance”
Disaster Housing Advice
In this video, get advice about how to access housing after a disaster. Learn about the programs available to help you and how to prepare. Watch the video “Disaster Housing Advice”
Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross
Learn about the disaster services provided by the American Red Cross and how their services can help people with disabilities recover from disasters. Watch the video “Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross”
External Links
- Accessible Hazard Alert System
In some cities, people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and Blind can sign up for accessible emergency alerts.
- FEMA's Text to Shelter Service
Users can text “shelter” and their ZIP code to 43362 to get a list of shelters within 200 miles of their ZIP code.
- FEMA Appeal Generator Letter
Input your answers to questions and create a letter you can save and print out to submit to FEMA as an appeal and to other organizations.
- Personal Disaster Preparedness: I am blind (Video)
- Personal Disaster Preparedness: I am hard of hearing (Video)
- Personal Disaster Preparedness: I use a wheelchair (Video)
- FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- Disability Rights in Disasters (Disaster Assistance Manual) - TexasLawHelp.org
- Disaster Legal Aid Resource Center - National Disaster Legal Aid
- Disasters and Emergencies - Ready
- Recovery Program for People Impacted by the 2018 and 2019 floods in Texas
- Texas Ready
- American Red Cross
- Emergency Preparedness and Response - CDC
- Preparing, recovering, and rebuilding after disasters and emergencies - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Emergency Alerts - Ready
- State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) - Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Programs - Texas General Land Office
- FEMA Flood Insurance (Video)
- FEMA Hurricane Season and Flood Insurance (Video)
- FEMA Hurricane Preparedness (Video)
- FEMA Tornado Safety (Video)
- The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies
- Disaster Housing Recovery - National Low Income Housing Coalition
- About the NCIL Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee - National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
- Emergency Management - Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities