[{"id":350,"date":"2025-01-10T13:48:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T13:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/?p=350"},"modified":"2025-01-10T13:57:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T13:57:30","slug":"may-we-live-in-interesting-times-navigating-emergencies-with-a-disability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/2025\/01\/10\/may-we-live-in-interesting-times-navigating-emergencies-with-a-disability\/","title":{"rendered":"May we live in Interesting Times: Navigating Emergencies with a Disability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


“May we live in interesting times” is a phrase that often carries both a sense of wonder and challenge. The beginning of January 2025 has indeed been an “interesting” time here in Richmond, Virginia, and the surrounding counties. A snowstorm has blanketed the area with about four inches of snow and for several days now the city of Richmond has been without water due to a malfunction at the water treatment plant. These circumstances have brought unique challenges\u2014especially for individuals with disabilities like myself.

As someone living with cerebral palsy, emergencies often bring an added layer of complexity. Navigating through snow has always been a source of anxiety for me. I\u2019ve slipped on snow and ice in the past, so these weather conditions leave me on edge. The water situation has added another layer of difficulty, requiring careful planning to ensure access to essential resources like clean water. This challenge of having limited access to water house that been difficult for me. It has been recommended that we boil water, so it is safe to drink it. But for someone with a disability like me that is realistically not possible because I don\u2019t boil water on a regular basis.\u00a0 This task would be physically dangerous for me. These events have forced me to reflect on how to better prepare for emergencies and adapt to unexpected challenges.

This recent experience has taught me valuable lessons about preparedness and resilience. Emergencies disrupt our usual routines, and for people with disabilities, they can amplify existing challenges. Planning ahead can help mitigate risks and ensure safety and well-being during such times. Here are some tips that I\u2019ve found useful and hope will help others.

Tips for Navigating an Emergency as a Person with a Disability<\/strong>

1. **Create an Emergency Kit**<\/strong>
\u00a0 – Include essentials like medication, medical supplies, assistive devices, non-perishable food, and bottled water.
\u00a0 – Keep a list of emergency contacts and important documents in your kit.

2. **Develop a Personal Emergency Plan**<\/strong>
\u00a0 – Identify safe routes to exit your home and access shelters or safe locations.
\u00a0 – Establish a communication plan with family, friends, or caregivers.

3. **Prepare for Power Outages**<\/strong>
\u00a0 – If you rely on powered medical devices, have backup batteries or a generator ready.
\u00a0 – Keep flashlights and extra batteries on hand.

4. **Know Your Community Resources**<\/strong>
\u00a0 – Familiarize yourself with local emergency services and assistance programs.
\u00a0 – Register with local emergency registries for people with disabilities to receive support during disasters.

5. **Ask for Help When Needed**<\/strong>
\u00a0 – Reach out to friends, neighbors, or community groups for assistance.
\u00a0 – Have a trusted list of people who can provide support in an emergency.

Final Thoughts<\/strong>

Emergencies can be overwhelming, but they also highlight the importance of preparation and community support. The recent snowstorm and water crisis have underscored the need to plan ahead and remain adaptable. While these challenges tested my resilience, they also reinforced my belief in the strength of individuals with disabilities and the power of community. By preparing and supporting one another, we can navigate even the most difficult times with courage and determination.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find more information about prepare for emergencies at home and in your communities through Virginia Department of Emergency Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be interested in reviewing the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities\u2019 Assessment of Virginia\u2019s Disability Service System: Inclusive Emergency Preparednes, Management and Response <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FEMA\u2019s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“May we live in interesting times” is a phrase that often carries both a sense of wonder and challenge. The beginning of January 2025 has indeed been an “interesting” time here in Richmond, Virginia, and the surrounding counties. A snowstorm has blanketed the area with about four inches of snow and for several days now […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1612,"featured_media":351,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disabilities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1612"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":346,"date":"2024-10-30T15:31:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T15:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/?p=346"},"modified":"2024-10-30T15:34:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T15:34:54","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-before-voting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/2024\/10\/30\/what-you-need-to-know-before-voting\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VOTING"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 5 – About 1\/3 of people with IDD vote in federal, state, or local elections*<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To vote, you need to <\/a>be registered!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply online: elections.virginia.gov\/citizen-portal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

OR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fill out a registration form and turn it into your state or local government office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final day to register is November 4th<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*Based National Core Indicator data from 2017-2023: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT YOU NEED TO VOTE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022ID CARD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022An Acceptable ID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Virginia DMV-issued driver’s license or ID card<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 United States Passport<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Student or Employer ID<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Voter Confirmation Documents<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more examples visit elections.virginia.gov\/VoterID<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WAYS TO VOTE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mail: Request ballot by October 25, 2024 elections.virginia.gov\/absentee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Person before Election Day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vote early at your local registration office: September 20 – November 2, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Person on Election Day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vote at your local polling place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find your polling place<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

elections.virginia.gov\/VoterInfo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCOMMODATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You have the right to accommodations to help you vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Magnifiers for reading ballots<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Accessible parking and entrances<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Accessible voting booths<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Voting from your car<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Talking ballots or electronic ballots<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Help reading or marking your ballot<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 You can bring someone to help you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCOMMODATIONS WAYS TO VOTE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mail: Request ballot by October 25, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

elections.virginia.gov\/absentee<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on accommodations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

elections.virginia.gov\/casting-a-ballot\/accessible-voting\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 5 – About 1\/3 of people with IDD vote in federal, state, or local elections* To vote, you need to be registered! Apply online: elections.virginia.gov\/citizen-portal OR Fill out a registration form and turn it into your state or local government office. The final day to register is November 4th *Based National […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1550,"featured_media":347,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-voting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1550"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":341,"date":"2024-09-30T18:11:37","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T18:11:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/?p=341"},"modified":"2025-11-24T14:02:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:02:49","slug":"over-100-essential-disability-resources-in-virginia-a-comprehensive-guide-to-support-services-and-advocacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/partnership\/2024\/09\/30\/over-100-essential-disability-resources-in-virginia-a-comprehensive-guide-to-support-services-and-advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 100 Essential Disability Resources in Virginia: A Comprehensive Guide to Support, Services, and Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Navigating the world of disability services can be overwhelming, especially when you\u2019re searching for the right support, therapy, advocacy, or educational resources. Whether you\u2019re a person with a disability, a family member, or a caregiver, having access to the right resources can make all the difference. In Virginia, a wealth of organizations, agencies, and community programs are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. From healthcare and therapy services to employment programs and recreational activities, this extensive list of over 100 resources offers a detailed guide to the many forms of support available across the state. Dive into this comprehensive collection to find the assistance and connections you need, no matter where you are in Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State and Local Agencies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n