Assisting People with Visual Impairments

Canes

• If you use a cane, keep extras in strategic, consistent and secured locations at job, home, school, volunteer site, etc. to help you maneuver around obstacles and hazards.
• Keep a spare cane in your emergency kit.

Alternate Mobility Cues

• If you have some vision, place security lights in each room, to light paths of travel. These lights plug into electrical wall outlets and light up automatically if there is a loss of power. They will, depending on type, continue to operate automatically for 1 to 6 hours and can be turned off manually and used as a short-lasting flashlight.
• Store high-powered flashlights with wide beams and extra batteries.
• Service animals may become confused, panicked, frightened or disoriented in and after a disaster. Keep them confined or securely leashed or harnessed. A leash/harness is an important item for managing a nervous or upset animal. Be prepared to use alternative ways to negotiate your environment.
• Plan for losing the auditory clues you usually rely on after a major disaster.

Label Supplies

If helpful, mark emergency supplies with large print, fluorescent tape or Braille.

Secure Computers

Anchor special equipment such as computers. Create a back-up system for important data and store it off site.

Advocacy Issues

Advocate that TV news not only post important phone numbers but also announce them slowly and repeat them frequently for people who cannot read the screen.