Experience shows one of the best things the whole community can do to be prepared is provide universal accessibility. This simply means planning to meet the needs of the whole community by providing physical access, communication access, or access to disaster or emergency programs. In addition, there are legal requirements that dictate the inclusion of persons with disabilities during whole community preparedness efforts.

One way to ensure this example is incorporated into planning is to establish a Core Advisory Group (CAG). CAGs consist of people with cross-disabilities who advise emergency managers. They provide input on inclusive emergency operations plans, including:

• Local, jurisdictional, or state accessible evacuation plans
• Temporary accessible housing plans
• Accessibility to, of, and in shelters