Disasters and the disabled

This publication, although primarily concerned with disasters in third world societies and with victims disabled by disasters, devotes some consideration to the safety needs of persons disabled prior to disaster. In particular, chapter IV makes a strong case for the consideration of the safety needs of disabled persons when working out disaster plans. The chapter also contains specification of guidelines about particular preparations and precautions that can be implemented for disabled persons in disasters. The guidelines are related to five categories of disablement: (i) the physically disabled - tetra and paraplegic; (ii) the blind and those with impaired vision; (iii) the deaf and the mute; (iv) the mentally retarded and the mentally ill; and (v) the multi-disabled.