The City of Oakland (City) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) settled a class action lawsuit out of court. The suit filed by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and Californians for Disability Rights charged that the special needs of the disabled were not included in emergency plans. So, for example, transportation for those in wheelchairs and accessible shelters were not part of the plan.
The city agreed to add a Functional Needs Annex to its Mass Care and Shelter Plan, which will specifically address the needs of persons with disabilities regarding emergencies. Part of that Annex includes GIS:
A Geographic Information System (GIS) has been created to assist City first responders with identifying the location of persons who may require accessible transportation services. The GIS has mapped the home addresses of individuals who have voluntarily registered for the City’s 9-1-1 Registry Program, residential care facilities for the elderly and nursing homes, and Oakland Housing Authority public housing facilities. The City continues to work with local organizations for people with disabilities and older adults to encourage their clientele to participate in the 9-1-1 Registry Program.
I note this, as I did a similar effort on a Reservation (APB post, third tidbit), because it sounds like something every jurisdiction will have to include - sooner or later. Do it sooner!
