Welcome to IDEA EM

Picture of crowd scene including emergency workers and man in wheelchair. One of the key lessons of recent emergencies, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is that emergency management processes at all levels of government must fully integrate the needs and talents of individuals with the full range of disabilities and the elderly.

Coordination of efforts at the State and Federal levels, and with non-governmental organizations is critical to ensuring that emergency management planning is designed to include and protect all individuals.

Picture of emergency worker and youth This site - IDEA EM - is intended to provide information concerning these issues. Among the resources available here are Quarterly Reports from individual States describing their efforts concerning emergency management and individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. Also included is a listing of documents and Internet links from a variety of organizations that provide information on relevant topics.

As you will see, work is progressing within States to identify issues involved with the integration, planning, and coordination of efforts within their local emergency management frameworks. The Federal government and other organizations are also developing plans and processes that are focused on these most vulnerable populations.

Together, organizations at all levels are working to improve their emergency management responses for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.