Is your family ready when the unexpected happens? For children with disabilities, learning what to do in an emergency may take focused attention and intentional practice. This fall, talk as a family about safety, model safety activities, and make a plan to be prepared for the unexpected.

Emergency Preparedness

Talk with your child about what to do and where to go if there’s a weather emergency or natural disaster like a tornado, flood or fire. You can also be ready as a family during emergencies by having an emergency kit and a care plan for your child with special health care needs. Similar to your child’s school, have a “fire drill” so your children know what to do and where to go.

For more ideas see Caring for Children in a Disaster and, the Family Voices video, Emergency Preparedness: Make a Plan.

Calling for First Responders

Teach your children how and when to call 911. In a calm way, talk about situations when it’s best to call, and when calling 911 is probably not needed. If your child has a medical condition that could result in a medical emergency, include your other children and caregivers about when to call 911.  This might also be a good time to contact your local police and/or fire departments to share specifics about your child’s condition in case they are called. Many departments have standard forms and appreciate being ready to best meet your child’s needs in an emergency.

Safety Network 

Help your children identify safe people and places, near home and school or while you’re in the community. Speak with those trusted people, exchange cell phone numbers and put these important phone numbers in a place that’s easy for your child to find.

Bullying Happens 

While we hope our children with disabilities will never be bullied or hurt by others, they need to be prepared. Talk with them about who to go to and how to ask for help if they are being bullied or abused by others.

Teach Self-Advocacy Skills

Families can teach their children about healthy boundaries and effective communication. Your family can also practice communication messages at home such as: No; Leave me alone; I need; or I want. For those who use assistive technology, these messages can be added to their devices. (Source: Pacer Center, pacer.org/parent/php/PHP-c122.pdf )

Tools to Keep Our Children Safe While in Their Community

There are low-tech and high-tech ways to increase safety for a child with disabilities. One low-tech idea is to make an ID card for your child’s backpack with their name, parent’s cell phone number, and basic information about their disability or health condition.

For teens who use a cell phone, a high-tech choice is an app with this information. There are many phone apps available for communication, shared GPS location and transportation. You can spend time practicing how to use these tools. You can also talk with your child’s IEP team about incorporating safety planning into their school day.

Don’t Let the Fear of Risk Get in the Way

Finally, while keeping our children safe, we also need to let go (a little). If we want our children with disabilities to have new experiences, connect with new people and try new activities, there will be risks. The dignity of risk is the idea that all people, including those with disabilities, have the right to take risks. Being allowed to take risks is a big part of personal growth, self-esteem and quality of life. Learn more about the dignity of risk at WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities Living Well Project, youtube.com/watch=FwlpzSunvgw.

Learn More

Safety Planning for Life in the Community In partnership with the Waisman Center’s WI Integrated Transition Planning Project (WITPP), a new fact sheet explores planning for safety in the community for youth with disabilities. This is one of a ten-part fact sheet series, that includes employment, health, finances, community connections and more.