Emergency Preparedness

Resources for people who are blind or have low vision

Table of Contents

Hurricane Preparedness

  1. Know Your Evacuation Zone

Learn if you live or work in an evacuation zone. Have a transportation plan for home and work locations.

  1. Make an Emergency Plan

Develop a plan, including transportation, that accounts for individual needs, including visual impairment or other disabilities. Include how you might evacuate, where to evacuate to, and the location of local emergency shelters. If in a high-risk population, the safest option may be to evacuate to a location without the general public, such as a relative’s home or a hotel.

  1. Build an Emergency Kit

Build an emergency kit containing items for your family’s individual needs and any visual impairments that will sustain you and your family if isolated for three to five days without power or without the ability to go to a grocery store.

  1. Stay Informed

Everyone should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social media, traditional media, 2-1-1 hotline, and local notification systems.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/mema

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Suggestions for people who are blind and visually impaired: 

  • Have back up canes at different locations, such as your home, the homes of family members, your car, and in a disaster kit.  
  • Store high-powered flashlights (LED lights with wide beams are best) and extra batteries. Light sticks may also be helpful.
  • Writing supplies, such as a slate & stylus, 20/20 pens, writing guide
  • Low vision items such as magnifiers, glasses, etc.
  • Wind-up radio
  • Talking alarm clock (with batteries) or braille watch
  • Whistle & first aid kit
  • Telephone & Contact List in large print and/or braille
  • Chargers for electronic devices and batterypacks
  • Label Supplies: Mark emergency supplies with large print, fluorescent tape, or braille (with print). 

Be prepared to use alternate mobility cues and alternative methods to navigate your environment.  

Be prepared to lose the auditory clues you normally rely on following a major disaster.

For more general information on other items needed for your disaster kit, go to www.mass.gov/mema

Adapted from Red Cross’s “Additional Tips for People with Visual Disabilities” handout www.redcross.org

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