All Alabamians Have Equal Access to FEMA Recovery Programs

Release Date Release Number
NR 011
Release Date:
January 15, 2021

MONTGOMERY, Ala. To help communities recover from Hurricane Zeta, FEMA is working with state agencies and volunteer organizations to make sure survivors with disabilities and those with access and functional needs have equal access to disaster assistance programs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 33.2 percent of Alabama adults age 18 and over have some type of disability. Across the state and throughout the United States, FEMA provides accommodations at each step in the disaster recovery process.

FEMA is committed to providing assistance to everyone in the communities affected by the storm. Assistance may take the form of a grant that does not have to be repaid or it may be through connections or referrals with FEMA’s state and local partners.

Be assured: all affected residents in Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Mobile, Perry, Washington and Wilcox counties can get answers to their questions and help from FEMA with applications for disaster assistance.

FEMA can provide interpreters, real-time captioning and information in alternate formats such as Braille, large-print, audio and electronic versions. The agency also provides free services to help people communicate with its staff and understand FEMA programs.  Among the aids are:

  • Information available in accessible electronic formats on FEMA’s website and social media
  • Qualified American Sign Language interpreters
  • Qualified multilingual interpreters
  • Information written in multiple languages

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

The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Monday, Feb. 8. There are several ways to apply:

  • Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service. If you need accommodations for language or disability, let the Helpline specialists know.

Before the next storm, the deaf or hard of hearing community can also 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 more information about Hurricane Zeta recovery in Alabama, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4573 and www.facebook.com/fema.

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