National Disability Rights Network Evaluation Project

2006

1. Need Hurricane Katrina was the largest disaster in U.S. history. The affects from this hurricane resulted in loss or destruction of housing for over 1.5 million individuals. It is estimated that 23 percent of those affected by this disaster were individuals with disabilities, a total which is approximately one-sixth higher than that of the national average (National Organization on Disability, 2006). The already frayed social support system of many of these individuals unraveled as families were uprooted, homes were lost, and local infrastructure ceased to exist. In addition, the large-scale diaspora caused by Katrina put added stress upon the formal networks of support for individuals with disabilities, many of whom were placed in new housing, in unfamiliar communities, and even within new state service systems. Seeking services for individuals with disabilities is difficult to negotiate under normal circumstances, leading many individuals with disabilities to describe the process as the "qualifying game" (see McCarthy and Stough, 2000). Adding the need for disability supports to the critical needs experienced by most evacuees results in an overwhelming challenge for even the most competent case manager. The evaluation of services to individuals with disabilities requires sensitivity and forethought to the method used to collect data. Findings from the National Organization on Disability (NOD) Report on the Special Needs Assessment for Katrina Evacuees (SNAKE) Project includes recommendations within ten categories based on assessments of individuals with disabilities at shelters immediately following Hurricane Katrina. Among their recommendations are several that should be considered in designing intake and evaluation of casework, as well as for how information and access to needed support services is given. One such recommendation is to allow opportunities for cross-training so that organization administrators and case workers become familiar with existing programs and can make appropriate referrals. Another example, which is an integral part of the NCMC proposal, is for multiple service organizations to coordinate case work, service delivery, and to identify gaps in services. 2. Overall goals and objectives The purpose of this proposed evaluation project will be to design an evaluation tool to be used with individuals with disabilities and to train NDRN case managers to use this tool. 3. 3. Unusual features There is a lack of research-based information regarding disaster and disability specifically. 4. Expected benefits The result of the use of this tool will be to provide NDRN and NCMC with both formative and summative information on the quantity and quality of project interventions. This information will be useful to project managers as the program is in the process of being implemented and thus will serve to supplement the evaluation of the overall project.

disaster, emergency management, disability

Performing Research or Evaluation

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention

Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Other

State, Regional

Federal

N/A