Access & Functional Needs Groups

During a disaster, individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs (AFN) may require special assistance from the emergency management system in their jurisdiction. These additional considerations for at-risk individuals are a vital part of emergency planning for the whole community. Planning before an incident ensures that response and recovery operations are inclusive of the whole community’s needs

Individuals in need of additional response assistance may include:

People with disabilities
People who live in institutionalized settings
Elderly
Children
People from diverse cultures
People with limited English proficiency
Non-English speaking
Transportation disadvantaged

If you or someone close to you has a disability and other access and functional need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your family in an emergency.

The following series of Preparedness Tips were developed to assist AFN groups and their caregivers enhance their level of personal awareness and preparedness.