Emergency Personnel to Train in Disability Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 25, 2008
Media contact: Rebecca Panoff
Communications Manager, AAPD
AAPD Partners with CEPIN to Create Emergency Management Web Training
People with Disabilities Will Benefit
WASHINGTON, DC - November 25, 2008 - The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is pleased to partner with the Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) to develop an emergency management web-based training program. AAPD, the largest cross-disability membership organization in the U.S., will provide technical assistance to CEPIN on content and usability for the training program.
This self-paced, web-based training will increase public awareness about challenges that people with various functional needs, including those with disabilities, face during disasters and will examine the needs gaps in emergency plans. The pilot program for the training will launch in Spring 2009 and will jumpstart the dialogue needed to develop mutual understanding and respect between the special needs and emergency management communities.
“Raising the awareness of the disability community’s needs when emergencies happen is critical to the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities and their families. AAPD is excited to participate in a network that can save lives and improve planning and services for everyone in the wake of a disaster,” said Andrew J. Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
“People with disabilities are among the most adversely affected in emergency situations, often left out and left behind.” said Jenifer Simpson, Senior Director for Technology Initiatives at the American Association of People with Disabilities. “Through this training effort we hope to encourage emergency managers to work directly with the disability community and other groups with similar functional needs. CEPIN’s training will be a big step forward in reaching this goal.”
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