What are access and functional needs?

People with access and functional are people who are or have:

• Physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities.
• Chronic conditions or injuries.
• Limited English proficiency.
• Older adults.
• Children.
• Low income, homeless, or transportation-disadvantaged (i.e., dependent on public transportation).
• In late stages of pregnancy.

What is CMIST?

CMIST  puts access and functional needs into 5 categories:

  1. Communication
  2. Maintaining health
  3. Independence
  4. Support and safety
  5. Transportation

How can CMIST help with disaster planning? 

CMIST can help people with their emergency planning by taking into consideration the needs that should be addressed during a disaster.

Communication Needs Include :

  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • People that use sign language
  • Limited English proficiency
  • Reduced ability to see, speak and understanding
  • Have intellectual or developmental disabilities

Disaster Planning Ideas

  • Store aids, like hearing aids and communication devices in all emergency kits
  • Have extra batteries and communication equipment charging cables
  • Label emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print
  • Pencil and paper for communicating
  • Laminated cards with phrases or pictograms
  • Weather Radio with text display and a flashing alert
  • Lantern to enable communication by sign language
  • Dry erase board

Maintaining Health Needs Include :

  • People that require specific medications, medical equipment, electricity for medical devices
  • People that are breastfeeding
  • Infants and Children

Disaster Planning Ideas

  • Medication and allergy List
  • Extra medications and supplies
  • Back up power source
  • Copies of insurance and Medicare cards
  • Cooler and chemical ice packs
  • Medical bracelets

Independence Needs Include :

People that can function independently with help of

  • A mobility device
  • Vision and communication aids
  • Service animals.
  • Assistive technology

Disaster Planning Ideas

  • Backup manual wheel chair
  • Extra mobility devices such as canes or walkers
  • Extra battery for power wheel chair
  • Service dog supplies
    • Food
    • Water
    • Medical records

Safety, Support and Self-determination Needs Include :

Individuals that may

  • Be separated from their caregiver, or need additional care or
  • experience high levels of distress and additional help for anxiety, psychological behavioral health needs or
  • need trauma-informed support or support for their personal safety

Disaster Planning Ideas

  • Have a written emergency plan
  • Create a support network
  • Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones
  • Exchange keys and medical information with your supports
  • Show supports where emergency supplies are kept

Transportation Needs Include :

  • Individuals that do not have personal transportation
  • Financial hardships
  • Disabilities and temporary injuries

Disaster Planning Ideas

  • Have evacuation routes that you can access without a car
  • Map out meeting places close to your home or work
  • Have Paratransit phone number

Additional Resources