NASSAU, The Bahamas – The lead official from the Department of Social Services Disaster Management Unit (DMU), which has oversight for Shelter Management as the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF6) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), made a plea to the community of persons with disabilities, who haven’t already done so, to participate in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s ongoing voluntary registration of persons with disabilities in-country.

The registration drive was launched in early 2020, and is a collaborative effort between the Ministry, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and its Secretariat; the Disability Affairs Division, Department of Social Services; and the Urban Renewal Commission, all of which fall under the Ministry’s remit.

Persons with disabilities, their caregivers and/or other personal support network desiring to register can do so through Whatsapp at 376-8328; email, Disabilitiescommission@bahamas.gov.bs, or via the Commission’s website – disabilitiescommission.org.  Team members from the 24 Urban Renewal Centres throughout The Bahamas also possess the capability to register persons as part of their regular interactions with the various communities they serve, either virtually or by curbside accessibility.

Addressing the National Commission’s Regular Quarterly Virtual Town Hall Meeting that was held under the theme: “Disasters, Hurricanes in particular, and Persons with Disabilities" (PwDs), Chief Welfare Officer Mrs. Andrea Newbold, told the grouping that active participation in the registration process is of particular importance to all persons with disabilities, but especially those persons who live independently – or alone. The plea was also extended to the Non-Governmental Organizations that advocate on behalf of the community of persons with disabilities – many of whom participated in the Virtual Town Hall Meeting.

As the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF), DOSS personnel are responsible for Shelter Management during a disastrous or emergency event. They also serve on the Shelter Inspection Team that comprises membership from a number of other government Essential Services.

Mrs. Newbold advised her audience to consider registration as a key component of their Disaster Preparedness Plan.

“It is very important for you to register your disability with the Disabilities Commission and Social Services in the event you have to be evacuated from your home because if the First Responders do not know who you are, what your disability is, and where you are, then they cannot deliver the kind of service to you in the manner they would like to, and so persons, please, those of you who haven’t already done so, please register with the Commission. We need your location, we need your information so that we can add you to our vulnerable persons list so that in the event a storm or hurricane is threatening, or an emergency is taking place, we know whom we need to contact and get information to immediately to get you out of harm’s way.”

Mrs. Newbold said Disaster Preparedness is essential for Persons with Disabilities.

“We can experience various disasters and/or emergency events whether due to fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, storm surges, and everyone needs to be prepared for these events and so you, our persons with disabilities, your caregivers, the persons who advocate on your behalf, have to be prepared; you have to know your risks within the communities within which you live, particularly those persons with disabilities living in coastal areas and/or low-lying areas that are susceptible to flooding.”

Mrs. Newbold also encouraged her audience to complete a Personal Care Assessment as part of their Disaster Preparedness Plan – a must, again especially for those persons living independently.

“This Plan should list the tasks you will be able to do for yourselves and what assistance you would need during all stages of a disaster/emergency – before, during and after – in order to be ready for any contingency. The Personal Care Assessment should also take into consideration any specific functional and medical support needs to ensure comfort and safety.”

She advised the grouping – particularly those living independently -- to form personal support networks/self-help teams “with people you can trust.” Mrs. Newbold told her audience that once the Disaster Preparedness Plan and Personal Care Assessment are prepared, both should be reviewed with the personal support network/self-help teams.

“These teams can include family members, neighbours, co-workers, medical staff and caregivers just to name a few. Just imagine an emergency or disastrous event that causes the electricity to go out or make the roads inaccessible for First Responders? What if your support network cannot reach you to take you to a shelter, do you have the ability to function on your own; do you have an extra supply of medication, oxygen (for those who need it), water and food? Would you need assistance with transportation to evacuate? How would you handle your personal grooming and prepare your food?”

“Bring your personal support network together, give them a copy of your plan, and review the Plan together to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Also, ensure that you give, or write, good instructions to let others know exactly how they can best assist you – such as details on any equipment or medical needs. Practice the plan regularly to ensure that it works,” Mrs. Newbold added.