Disaster Preparedness - For Persons With Disabilities

The Florida Department of Health and the Taskforce for Persons with Disabilities and Preparedness commissioned regional surveys of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in order to improve disaster planning for PWD, particularly during a catastrophic event in which this population may be more vulnerable.

Phase 1 - 2006

During the first phase of this study, four local health councils conducted a total of 2,400 surveys in ten Florida counties as follows:

Broward Regional Health Council conducted 600 surveys in Broward County.

Health Council of South Florida conducted 600 surveys in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida conducted 600 surveys in Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.

Treasure Coast Health Council conducted 600 surveys in Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties.

In December 2006, the Broward Regional Health Planning Council published the results of the first phase entitled Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: Report of the 2006 Regional Census and Survey of Persons with Disabilities. 

To view the full report, which addresses issues related to health care access, mobility, and personal preparedness and communication in the ten counties that participated in the first phase, please click here.

Phase 2 - 2007

During the second phase, four local health councils conducted a total of 2,400 surveys in fifteen additional counties as follows:

Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida conducted 600 surveys in Volusia, Flagler, and St. John Counties.

Health Council of East Central Florida conducted 600 surveys in Brevard, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole.

Health Council of West Central Florida conducted 600 surveys in Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk Counties.

Treasure Coast Health Council conducted 600 surveys in Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties.

In August of 2007, Treasure Coast Health Council published the results of the project's second phase, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: Report of the 2007 Regional Survey of Persons with Disabilities.

To view the full report, which addresses issues related to health care access, mobility, and personal preparedness and communication in the fifteen counties that participated in the second phase, please click here

Phase 3 - 2008

During the third phase of this project, the survey was administered to 1,200 people with disabilities residing in six counties from two Local Health Council planning areas as follows:

Suncoast Health Planning Council (Pasco and Pinellas Counties).

Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Inc. (Baker, Clay, Duval, and Naussau Counties).

In July 2008, Treasure Coast Health Council published the results of the project's third phase, Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: Report of the 2008 Regional Survey of Persons with Disabilities.
To view the full report, which addresses issues related to health care access, mobility, and personal preparedness and communication in the six counties that participated in the third phase, please click here.

Questions?
 
Please contact Barbara Feeney at (561) 844-4220 Ext. 27
bfeeney@tchealthcouncil.org