In 1992, the UN established December 3rd as “International Day of Disabled Persons” to increase understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. The UN hopes the observance of this day will raise awareness of the benefits of fully integrating persons with disabilities into society.

View your office from the perspective of disabled consumers. Is it easy to reach and enter your office? Are pathways clear and navigable – with no hazards or obstructions? Are escape exits clearly labeled and accessible? Are staff and volunteers properly trained to assist people with disabilities in an emergency? If you answered no to any of these questions, take action! Aspire to move beyond being ADA-compliant to being ADA champions!

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Green Eggs and Ham, by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel (3/2/04 – 9/24/91), is one of the most widely read and remembered children’s books of all times, loved by readers of all ages. The book contains many valuable lessons for community educators and could be used as a guide for creating new preparedness materials.

Example: The book uses only 50 unique words – 49 have only one syllable – making it very easy to understand. Colorful and creative illustrations accompany the story, making it easy to follow. Geisel used simple rhythm and rhymes, so all readers, even the youngest, can remember and repeat the story.

Before you create your next outreach piece or training document, try rereading Green Eggs and Ham. Seek to bring that same clarity and simplicity into your materials.

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This Thursday is Thanksgiving, a traditional time to express gratitude. Consider acknowledging the people who have helped bring you a little closer to safety and preparedness. Funders who support your preparedness efforts are helping you build something valuable. Staff and volunteers who take proactive roles in fulfilling safety goals make an important difference. People with a passion for preparedness and the resolve to make it happen are heroes who help us avoid emergencies, accidents and disasters.

By recognizing the people who champion your preparedness, you help us all to recognize and remember the importance of preparedness to our health, safety and well-being.

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On November 26, 1973, Rose Mary Woods (President Nixon’s personal secretary) testified in federal court that she accidentally erased 18 ½ minutes of the Watergate tapes. With no backup system, this potentially critical data was lost forever. Losing critical information due to human errors and disasters can cause great financial loss, create breaches in trust and otherwise undermine your efforts to serve your community.

Check to see that key organization and personal information — especially computer files — are adequately backed up. Have one or more places off-site to store data; invest in jump drives or other alternate storage devices; and ensure that your files won’t be lost if a single system or network goes down. Always make sure all crucial data exists in multiple places.

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In November 1960, a patent for an alkaline dry-cell battery (still common today) was issued to its 3 inventors. This new battery offered a significantly longer life span than older technology. Today’s alkaline batteries are 60% more powerful than that original generation.

Check out the batteries you have on hand, making sure you have the right kind and right amount of fresh batteries available. Label their dates: common alkaline batteries have a shelf life of 5-7 years (refrigerating doesn’t help much). Over time, alkaline batteries leak. Reduce the chance of leakage by not mixing different battery types in the same device, replacing all batteries at the same time, storing them in a dry place, and removing batteries from devices for storage. For a greener approach, use rechargeables!

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On November 12, 1936, the Bay Bridge from Oakland to San Francisco opened to traffic. Today, many commuters rely heavily on the bridge, and issues from minor bottlenecks to major breakdowns happen whenever it is not usable. If you have bridges, tunnels or similar potential bottlenecks in your community, be sure you have viable alternatives worked out before an emergency. Map out the different routes in to and out of your area. Have the schedules and information numbers for transit alternatives such as buses, trains, ferries and ride-sharing opportunities readily available. Make your organization more resilient by sharing and posting these solutions and resources with all staff, volunteers, partners and vendors.

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On October 28th, 1998, the internationally-acclaimed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of South Africa released its report on the Apartheid era. The report emphasized responsibility, honesty and forgiveness as keys to a better future. Both victims and perpetrators of decades-long violence and abuse were ultimately given opportunities to speak openly about their experiences, and the environment created by the TRC is credited with helping to move the nation forward. Disasters often cause breaks in trust, with little attention given to the need to reconcile, so future preparedness efforts are built on a broken foundation. Consider using the TRC approach and set aside a time and place for your staff and those your organization serves to air their grievances, resolve issues and create a new future — without shame, blame or anger.

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On October 22nd 1924, the first club of Toastmasters International (TI) was founded by Ralph Smedley in Santa Ana, California. TI – a nonprofit educational organization – operates clubs worldwide to help members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills. A capable speaker can make the most challenging topics seem relevant and interesting, while an unskilled, uncomfortable speaker can lose even the most committed audiences. For topics that trigger extra resistance and fear, such as emergency preparedness and disaster response, it is especially important that presenters and community educators be powerful public speakers. Provide multiple opportunities for your speakers to improve and practice their skills. You can find your local Toastmasters International club by going to http://www.toastmasters.org/find.

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October 12th is Indigenous People’s Day, marking the arrival of Europeans to the Americas in 1492. Better known as Columbus Day, the name change reflects the growing need for cultural sensitivity – as along with Christopher Columbus’ discovery came the decimation of many native people and their cultures.

Take this opportunity to review your literature and ensure that the language used is culturally sensitive and current. Changing “handicapped” to “people to with disabilities” and “non-English Speakers” to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) are two good examples. Keeping in touch with current social values is key to maintaining community trust and your reputation as a relevant and competent service provider.

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October 31st is Halloween, when stores are filled with items that will help you be more prepared at any time of year. Be ready to stock up at sale prices! Halloween noisemakers, voice amplifiers and gadgets can work as loudspeakers, personal alarms, or to provide advice and warning messages triggered when someone walks by. Items to keep kids safe at night – such as glowsticks, reflectors, flashlights – can do the same thing for anyone, every night of the year. Halloween is meant to be scary, but preparedness shouldn’t be! Pick up these low-cost, effective safety tools while they’re on sale, and add them to your go-kits. Consider buying in bulk for your staff and consumers, and build some new relationships with neighbors or vendors.

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