Mobility International USA Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Crisis Response
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the people of Japan, including people with disabilities and their allies, and the relief workers who are now providing support on the ground. It is essential that people with disabilities are being included in emergency response efforts.
It is crucially important that short-term relief efforts as well as long-term reconstruction projects in Japan, including infrastructure and services, are designed to be accessible to and inclusive of people with disabilities. Thousands more people in Japan will become disabled as a result of this disaster.
Mobility International USA (MIUSA) provides technical assistance on inclusion of people with disabilities in international development and humanitarian assistance efforts around the world. MIUSA works with humanitarian actors and local disabled peoples’ organizations to support inclusive practices in foreign assistance including, but not limited to: democracy and governance, economic empowerment, education, emergency response, food security, gender, health, and water and sanitation.
MIUSA is a member of InterAction, the largest coalition of U.S. NGOs committed to improving the lives of the world’s most poor and underrepresented groups. InterAction is coordinating emergency relief efforts in Japan. To learn what these organizations are doing in support of relief efforts or to get involved, please visit: http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/interaction-members-support-japan-earthquake-response
The following is a list of disability resources and links in our effort to promote and ensure inclusion of people with disabilities in Japan.
Resources on inclusion of people with disabilities in emergency response:
Disability Checklist for Emergency Response
By Handicap International:
http://www.handicap-international.de/fileadmin/redaktion/pdf/disability_checklist_booklet_01.pdf
This practical checklist guides humanitarian actors on measures to insure inclusion of people with disabilities within emergency response and reconstruction efforts.
Communication Aids in Case of Emergency
From the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University:
http://disabilities.temple.edu/aacvocabulary/e4all.shtml#index
These communication aids are to be used by people with communication disabilities and by people who do not speak English during an emergency. This tool was designed for people with disabilities as well as emergency shelter workers and first aid responders.
Temple University Institute on Disabilities resources for emergency preparedness:
http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/eprep/
This online resource has numerous practical and applicable tools and information for people with disabilities and emergency response workers on emergency preparedness that is inclusive of people with disabilities.
Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN)
http://www.cepintdi.org/
This website is designed to promote awareness among emergency responders and all people with disabilities in order to facilitate collaboration for emergency preparedness.
IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
By the Inter-Agency Standing Committee:
http://www.who.int/mental_health/emergencies/guidelines_iasc_mental_health_psychosocial_june_2007.pdf
This report sets forth guidelines for humanitarian actors across sectors to support and improve people’s mental health and psycho-social well being in times of crisis.
Disabilities among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations
By Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children:
http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/docs/disab_fulll_report.pdf
This report by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children and co-funded by the United Nationals High Commissioner for Refugees outlines the rights and needs of displaced people with disabilities with a particular focus on women, children and youth.
Disabilities among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations: Resource Kit for Field Workers
By Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children:
http://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/docs/disab_res_kit.pdf
This practical resource kit accompanies the report Disabilities among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations, published by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children and is aimed at humanitarian actors.
Inclusive water and sanitation resources:
Equity and Inclusion: Reaching the Excluded
By WaterAid:
http://www.wateraid.org/documents/plugin_documents/equity_and_inclusion.pdf
This paper addresses the implications of exclusion from safe water and sanitation services for marginalized groups including people with disabilities and sets forth recommendations for more inclusive practices.
Disability Inclusive Health Resources Published by Hesperian:
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities:
By Jane Maxwell, Julia Watts Belser, and Darlena David:
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_wwd.php
This highly practical resource was developed with the help and experience of women with disabilities in 42 countries with a diversity of disabilities. The handbook includes practical self-help information on women’s health issues that is easy to understand.
Helping Children who are Deaf
By Sandy Neimann, Devorah Greenstein, and Darlena David
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_deaf.php
This book supports parents and caregivers build communication skills for babies and young children who are Deaf. It includes useful activities and exercises to foster language learning and child development. This practical book was developed in partnership with families and children who are Deaf in over 17 countries, and is accessible and appropriate across varied conditions and cultures.
Helping Children who are Blind
By Sandy Neimann and Namita Jacob
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download_blind.php
This book features simple and engaging activities to help parents, caregivers, teachers, health workers, rehabilitation workers, and others help children with vision disabilities develop their capabilities.
