Emergency Preparedness planning is essential to minimizing the impacts of disasters on communities and individuals.  The vendor and provider community are the professionals who provide direct services and supports to individuals they support; and therefore, are key partners in sharing the community knowledge, identifying potential gaps and needs of people with developmental disabilities.   The office of emergency preparedness encourages vendors and providers to work with regional centers emergency coordinators to assist in enhancing our work in increasing individual preparedness efforts statewide.
To facilitate emergency response activities and improve emergency response readiness, DDS has identified the need to develop emergency preparedness material for individuals and residential providers, provide necessary training and education, secure emergency go kits and portable batteries for consumers living independently or with limited supports who are dependent on power for life-sustaining equipment and who live within high fire threat district areas. If you serve individuals that may qualify or if you have questions, please contact the local regional center emergency coordinator for assistance which can be found to the right of the screen under CONTACT INFORMATION.
  • Portable Batteries
    • The Department has contracted with California Foundation of Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and the Disability Disaster Access and Resources (DDAR) program to provide individuals with portable batteries to those requiring power for life-sustaining equipment. To learn more about DDAR please click here.
Recovery Storybooks: English | Spanish | Traditional Chinese | Korean | Vietnamese | Tagalog | Armenian This Story book is designed for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were affected by the wildfires in California. However, it can be helpful to anyone. It uses strategies drawn from evidence-based interventions for trauma care. It is written in plain language to give words to what happened and what people are experiencing, with the hope to help people feel safe and begin to heal. The first version of this story book was developed for people who were impacted by the 2023 wildfires in Maui, Hawai’i. This California story book edition was dedicated to the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the families they serve, from our neighbors in Hawai’i. Our Hawai’i partners stand in support and healing, and hope this resource brings comfort and strength as you navigate recovery. DDS would like to personally thank our partners at the Center on Disability Studies, College of Education, University of Hawai’i at Manoa; specifically Maya Matheis, PhD for making this dedication and sharing this valuable recovery resource.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
  • The Department contracted and facilitated a collaborative workgroup to develop communication cards for the deaf + community to be utilize during emergency response.  The goal of these communication cards is to assist with 2-way communications with shelter staff and first responders.  Digital copies of these communication cards can be found here:
Active Shooter

Active Shooter
Earthquake

Earthquake
Emergency Preparedness

The California Department of Aging has developed an Emergency Preparedness Guide specifically designed to help older adults and people with disabilities prepare for emergencies to ensure they stay safe before, during, and after disasters and other emergency events.

These guides are available in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Armenian.

Preparing for a Disaster

Video is also available in the following languages
Emergency Response
Extreme Weather (Heat/Cold)

Heat:

Cold:

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Last modified: April 16, 2025