- Massachusetts Office on Disability
As of July 1, 2024, the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) has ended our Personal Emergency Preparedness Program (PEPP). The program, which began in 2007, trained thousands of individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth on tools and resources for preparing themselves for various emergencies.
People with disabilities are often disproportionately impacted by natural disasters and other emergencies. The planning tools, resources, and supplies provided to individuals with disabilities by MOD’s PEPP have served as an effective first line of defense. Over the 17-year lifespan of the program, MOD distributed approximately 15,000 emergency go-bags to individuals with disabilities, along with numerous resource guides and planning documents.
Additionally, the PEPP has educated countless local Emergency Preparedness Directors (EMDs) by building their awareness of the disability community and the importance of accessible emergency planning.
“We’re proud of the impact MOD’s Personal Emergency Preparedness Program has had on building accessibility, inclusion, and safety for the disability community,” said MOD Executive Director Mary Mahon McCauley, “Although this program is coming to an end, we look forward to building on its impact at the statewide level through our continued work with Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).”
In July 2023, MOD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MEMA and became their Access and Functional Needs Officer. Within this role, MOD serves as a subject matter expert on the disability community, providing technical assistance related to planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for people with disabilities during emergencies. Additionally, MOD continues to assist MEMA with architectural and communication access and other functional access needs for the disability community.
MOD also serves on the state’s 911 Commission to advise on disability access and the needs of the disability community.
MOD continues to provide information, guidance, and training on disability-related legal rights and obligations, including rights and obligations related to safety in emergencies. For specific emergency planning tips, please consult the below resources.
Resources: Emergency preparedness
Massachusetts Office on Disability
We help people understand their rights and obligations under disability laws and how they apply to different situations so they can better assert their rights and comply with the law.