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The Independence Center hosted an emergency preparedness training this fall for Colorado Red Cross chapters emphasizing accessibility for people with disabilities, the first of its kind in Colorado.

The 2012 Waldo Canyon and 2013 Black Forest fires brought to the forefront the need for an understanding of accessibility for those with disabilities during emergency and evacuation situations.

A grant from the Disability-Benefit Support Contract Committee funded the production of a training video and a grant from The Daniels Fund paid for the creation of Emergency Preparedness Disability Kits to be given to all the Colorado Red Cross chapters. The kits contain $1,200 worth of accessibility items that may be needed at shelters holding evacuees. Red Cross leaders and consultants pose with kit items.

Download a “Personal Emergency Preparedness Workbook” from The Independence Center free of charge at http://bit.ly/emergencyprepworkbook.