FEMA REACHES OUT TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL
NEED
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/fema-reaches-out-people-disabilities-access-and-functional-need]


Release Date: 
janvier 11, 2021 

FEMA is committed to helping all Louisiana residents who were affected
by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. That includes anyone requiring
specialized assistance. FEMA’s guidance is intended to ensure that
individuals who have access and functional needs receive lawful and
equal assistance before, during, and after a disaster or public health
emergency.

Simply put, people with access and functional needs includes
individuals who need assistance due to any condition (temporary or
permanent) that limits their ability to act. To have access and
functional needs does not require that the individual have any kind of
diagnosis or specific evaluation.

Individuals having access and functional needs may include, but are
not limited to, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and
populations having limited English proficiency, limited access to
transportation, and/or limited access to financial resources to
prepare for, respond to, and recover from the emergency.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32.3% of
adults in Louisiana have some type of disability. Across the state and
throughout the country, FEMA provides accommodations at each step in
the recovery process.

Newspapers, radio, television, social media, flyers, local officials,
and private sector partners help to spread important recovery
information in multiple languages.

To view a short video explaining the accommodations FEMA can provide,
go to: FEMA Accessible: Answering Yes to the Disability Question When
Registering for Assistance - YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyqC7m8p29w].

If a person did not apply for assistance and can provide a valid
reason for the delay, or if they live in Allen or Iberia Parish where
registration is still open until Feb. 21, they may be eligible for
FEMA assistance. Those who have already put in an application can
update their information to request assistance to meet their needs.
Contact FEMA by:

 	* Going online at DisasterAssistance.gov
[https://www.disasterassistance.gov/]
 	* Downloading the FEMA app
 	* Calling 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585

Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or
CapTel should alert FEMA as to the specific number assigned to that
service.

If you receive a letter that says your application was denied, read
the letter carefully to find out why. It may simply be that your
information was not complete. A short captioned video can explain the
process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5RgXQytqVg&list=PL720Kw_OojlJCg2nvX7uU18QQsi16LaFp###
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5RgXQytqVg&list=PL720Kw_OojlJCg2nvX7uU18QQsi16LaFp%23%23%23].

	* 

	* 

 	* you feel the decision was wrong, you can appeal in writing. For
information on where to send the appeal, or for assistance, call the
FEMA Helpline number 800-62 1-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Lawyers at the
Louisiana Hurricane Delta Disaster Legal Hotline, 1-866-418-8315, can
help you write the appeal if you need help and cannot afford a lawyer.

It is important to prepare before the next disaster strikes. Visit
Ready.gov [https://www.Ready.gov] for ideas on how your household can
make a plan.

Before the next storm, the hard of hearing, deaf, and persons with a
sensory disability can review “Preparing Makes Sense for People with
Disabilities and Other Access and Functional Needs,” a FEMA video
presented in English and sign language. Visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLLMDOScE4g.

For the latest information on Hurricane Laura, visit
fema.gov/disaster/4559 [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4559]. For the
latest information on Hurricane Delta, visit fema.gov/disaster/4570
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4570]. Follow the FEMA Region 6 Twitter
account at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 [https://twitter.com/FEMARegion6].