Project Description:
Texas had a need to access disability supports in real time during and after Hurricane Harvey hit the state.
Goals were to develop an online searchable resource guide to disabilityrelated resources, organizations, and supplies for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. This tool will be replicable for other states when disaster hits and will ease the process if identifying and accessing supports when needed.
Unusual features include the immediate, real time access of supports, the applicability to any disaster, and the usefulness of the resource to case managers, city officials, community members, and anyone affected by the specific disaster.
Benefits include better support in the longterm recovery effort.
The REDDy (Resources for Disasters and Disability) Directory is a dynamic online resource directory which addresses the disaster recovery needs of individuals with disabilities affected by Hurricane Harvey. The purpose of the REDDy Directory is to provide a searchable resource guide to disability-related resources, organizations, and supplies for those affected by disaster. A secondary purpose is to design an online template which can be used in a variety of other disasters and easily transferable for use by organizations in other states. The REDDy Directory provides informational support from FEMA, governmental organizations, cities, and towns on resources available to the general public. As many families relocate following disasters, a statewide, rather than local, directory was designed to best facilitate long-term recovery. A secondary aim of the REDDy Directory therefore is to provide case managers (who often have limited knowledge of disability-related needs) with up-to-date information and contact information on disability-related resources. A third aim of the REDDy is to increase knowledge that disability-related organizations have about organizations providing disaster-related resources. As the REDDy Directory can be directly searched, disability organizations can use this information to support and inform their own client, patient, or advocate base. A fourth aim was to test this resource directory model for future disaster purposes. The REDDy Directory has been widely disseminated throughout Texas, both through electronic means and through the dissemination of 10,000 REDDy Rulers which give basic information about the Directory. During the last 10 months information about the REDDy Directory has been disseminated to FEMA, the State of Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster, Long-Term Recovery Committees, Disaster Recovery Centers, and hundreds of offices of emergency management. Project staff have applied for funding from several sources to continue this work throughout the next several years.
The Diversity Leadership Fellows provided valuable capacity in the two months following Hurricane Harvey. Under the direction of Dr. Laura Stough they assisted in locating and updating disability-related services and resources available to survivors of Hurricane Harvey. Through joint support through AUCD and AIDD, Project REDD (Research and Education on Disability and Disasters) was able to launch the REDDy (REsources on Disaster and Disability) Directory, which included results from their collaboration. Having the Fellows participation resulted in a meaningful final project for each of them.
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Adults with Disabilities, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
