Access and Functional Needs Awareness Level Course
The material created was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services’ mission is to improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania’s (PA DHS) individuals and families and to improve statewide capabilities to support individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs during emergency planning, response, and recovery operations. PA DHS promotes opportunities for independence through services and supports while demonstrating accountability for taxpayer resources. Providing accommodations allows for more inclusive emergency operations and more effective community recovery.
The intended audience for the content is Pennsylvania Department of Human Services employees, other Commonwealth collaborating agency employees, and community partners who may assume roles in mass care or emergency assistance operations.
As you use any of these templates, please send any comments or suggestions to TechOWL and The Institute on Disabilities at TechOWL@temple.edu.
Course Content Includes:
- 3.5 hour Access and Functional Needs Awareness Level Course materials
- 15-minutes Access and Functional Needs Just-In-Time Training materials
- The creation and compilation of easy-to-reference job tools for a ToolKit
How to Use:
Click the download link under each section.
QR Code Access:
Click here to download the QR code flyer for easy mobile access.
3.5 hour Access and Functional Needs Awareness Course
This template is a suggested outline for a half-day awareness level course that provides information and resources for mass care and other emergency response situations when assisting people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
The outline below identifies the overall goals and objectives for this course and contains corresponding activities and content. For this half-day course, the main areas of focus include 1) access and functional needs and disability related topics, 2) accessibility, 3) assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME), and 4) an interactive activity.
Downloadable content includes:
- Instructor’s Guide – 3.5hr AFN Awareness Course
- Accessibility Kit Contents
- Disability Awareness Activity
15-minute Just-In-Time Training
This template is a suggested outline for Just-in-Time Training (JITT) that provides information and resources for mass care and other emergency response situations when assisting people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
The outline below identifies the overall goals and objectives for this JITT, which contains corresponding content. For this JITT, the main areas of focus include 1) disability and access and functional needs overview, 2) disability etiquette and inclusive language, 3) Accommodations, 4) service and comfort animals, 5) the function of Disability Integration staff and 6) the use of accessibility kits.
Downloadable content includes:
Tool Kit
Downloadable content includes:
- Low Tech Communication Board, created by IOD
- Sighted Guide Technique (blind/low vision), created by IOD (Text version here)
- Offering Assistance (ASL), created by IOD (Text version here)
- People First/ Disability Etiquette, created by Dept. Human Services & FEMA
- Accessibility Kits (list pulled from DHS), created by IOD (Text version here)
- Flow chart: Emergency Shelter Placement, created by IOD
- PA Centers for Independent Living (Text version here)
- TechOWL, program flyer for PAs Assistive Technology Act Program
- Assistive Technology Resource Center contacts, by IOD
- PATF Handout, shared with permission from PATF
- Additional Resources: Disaster Survivors Handout & AAC Recovery
- Language Identification Tool, created by Propio Language Services
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