Louisiana Recovery Office New Orleans, LA FEMA: Week in Review October 14, 2011 Announcements Calendar St. Bernard Parish Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New Canal Crossings St. Bernard Parish hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Canal Crossings on Packenham Avenue. The new Canal Crossings are another milestone in the growth and recovery of the parish since Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of St. Bernard’s infrastructure. The Canal Crossings are being restored to their pre-disaster function and capacity. FEMA obligated $243,607.59 to replace the culvert and restore the canal bank. October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month Visit: http://www.dhs.gov/ files/events/stop-think­ connect.shtm Oct. 9-15: National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 14-16: National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend; National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD Oct. 26: Louisiana ADA Symposium National Disability Employment Awareness Month October 2011 Utilizing the talents of all Americans is essential for our nation to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recognize the skills that people with disabilities bring to our workforce, and we rededicate ourselves to improving employment opportunities in both the public and private sectors for those living with disabilities. The federal government is committed to be a model employer for people living with disabilities. Federal agencies are tenaciously working to promote equal hiring practices and Accommodation Tips for People with Disabilities .. For wheelchair users, increase retention, while also expanding internships, fellowships and training opportunities. always discuss with the user how to they prefer to be lifted. Over 56.4 million Americans, or approximately 20% of our population, report having .. Some disabled people a disability. Recent FEMA activities support this group of Americans by making access available to preparedness plans along with response and other support materials to make Emergency Management inclusive. Examples of recent FEMA activities include: Administrator Fugate established the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination in February of 2010; Regional disability specialists (RDIS) were hired in 2010; in 2011 RDIS are deployed in all ten FEMA regions. The Louisiana Recovery Office recently appointed a disability Integration Coordinator, who strives to identify and accommodate Louisiana citizens with disabilities for preparation, notification, evacuation, transportation, sheltering, temporary lodging and housing needs for emergency preparation and response needs. may need assistance to travel to and from points of emergency and recovery services .. A Food Stamp Application question about buying and preparing their own food yields a misleading answer when asked of disabled people who The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and the Arc of Louisiana are hosting the Louisiana Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Symposium in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, October 26, 8181 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Registration will be held on site between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. The program strives to make the most of attendees’ time for educational opportunities for their cities and/or parishes. For more information please visit: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/ archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff14.html have attendants .. Remember to pack essential items for family members with special needs Housing Update Katrina/Rita: 28 units Gustav/Ike: 12 units Contacts News Desk: (504) 762-2477 External Affairs Director, Andrea Davis: (504) 247-6628 / Andrea.Davis1@dhs.gov Outreach Lead, Amy Connolly: (225) 678-6673 / Amy.Connolly@dhs.gov FEMA