Florida News Connection
September
29, 2022
By: Trimmel Gomes
In an appeal to the public as Hurricane Ian
barreled toward Florida, an advocate for persons with disabilities urged
everyone to consider checking in with neighbors, friends or family members who
may benefit from a helping hand.
Mandy Bianchi, executive director of the group Ability1st, wrote a column in
the Tallahassee
Democrat published the morning before the then-Category 4 storm
made landfall in Southwest Florida, explaining those who are vulnerable have a
lot more to consider during hurricane preparedness, including obstacles such as
getting emergency notification and transportation; evacuation; sheltering;
access to medications, refrigeration, and backup power.
"For people who need oxygen or a CPAP machine or anything along those
lines, if we lose power that is really a frightening situation for people who
rely on those type of devices," Bianchi pointed out.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in
4 adults in Florida has a disability, which is more than 4.5
million people.
Bianchi stressed it is important to think before, during and after the storm
about any person who might be in need of help, and to check on them. She added
if you are scared of what could happen during a storm, they might be even more
so, and every little bit counts.
Bianchi's organization works across six Florida counties and provides services
to people who are homeless. She is also shedding light on being available to
assist those with mental-health needs.
"For people who have mental-health concerns, just knowing that somebody is
nearby or can call and check on them, it's just a comforting feeling to know
that they are not going to be forgotten about or left behind," Bianchi
advised.
Almost immediately after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005,
the National Council on Disability estimated there were roughly 155,000 people
with disabilities over the age of 5, or about 25 % of the cities' populations,
living in the three cities hardest hit by the hurricane.
Federal agencies such as FEMA, as well as Florida's Division of Emergency
Management, provides guidelines on the best
ways to plan and support those with
disabilities.
Content for this Post is provided by Florida News
Connection, a Bureau of Public News Service.
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