People with disabilities are disproportionately unprepared to handle life-threatening emergency situations. To combat this, the House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the Homeland Security Authorization Act to protect older people and people with disabilities in major emergencies. The bill has yet to be approved by the Senate and signed by President Bush.

The Langevin amendment, named for its sponsor, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Disability Coordinator at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work together with the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) by implementing an initiative created for emergency-management professionals and communities called the Emergency Preparedness Initiative (EPI).

The EPI is an initiative launched by the N.O.D. as a result of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Following the attacks, N.O.D. assembled a task force composed of government-agency representatives, disability- and relief-organization officials that were ordered to report to President Bush and the DHS. Within three years, N.O.D. established the EPI, whose purpose is to educate emergency managers on disability and ensure that people with disabilities are included at all levels of emergency preparedness including planning, response and recovery.

In a statement, Langevin said the collaboration between the DHS and N.O.D. demonstrates the potential for private industries and the federal government to work together to help an often ignored segment of the population.  

"As we take steps to make our nation a safer place, it is critical to keep in mind that if we neglect issues of accessibility and inclusion in our planning, the problems that surface later will be more complicated, more expensive, and in some cases will cost people their lives," said Langevin, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus and member of the Homeland Security Committee.

Michael R. Deland, president of N.O.D., said in a statement that he's confident the amendment will bring more attention to people with disabilities and to the EPI.

"The 54 million American with disabilities, and indeed the billions with disabilities worldwide, owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Congressman Langevin for his vision, energy and perseverance in making sure that people with disabilities will be accorded the same civil rights as all others," said Deland. "Due to this amendment, N.O.D. will work cooperatively with DHS to ensure that people with disabilities and all those with special needs are protected during future disasters--manmade or natural."

In the coming months, N.O.D. plans to expand its education and awareness efforts in assisting emergency managers, first responders and advocates on issues of emergency preparedness for people with disabilities. In addition, the organization will continue to establish government relationships while also measuring and monitoring national progress.  

Nancy Starnes, vice president of N.O.D., believes the EPI is the only program that provides the expertise in emergency management and disability issues. 

"We will contribute to leadership of the national discussion on our special-needs populations before, during and after natural or manmade disasters," said Starnes. "N.O.D. has the capability to deploy rapid-response teams into disaster areas, emergency-operations centers, joint field-operations units and other areas as necessary to provide comprehensive support during disaster operations."

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