All disaster situations – including winter storms, fires,and hurricanes - can present unique and potentially life-threatening circumstances for individuals with disabilities and those who are aging. Planning is key to preparing for and responding to these natural disasters and other hazards.

In response to the recent ice storm and localized power outages for Texans across the state, the Governor's Committee On People with Disabilities (GCPD) is resharing our Emergency Solutions for Powering Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology guide. This guide provides tips for planning backup power sources during emergencies to support durable medical equipment (DME) and assistive technology (AT) needs for people with disabilities and those who are aging. The presentation was developed in partnership with the Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) at the Texas Center for Disability Studies (TCDS), University of Texas at Austin.

In addition to this recorded presentation on YouTube, GCPD is sharing these additional resources to help Texans plan for these types of power outage emergencies:

• Medicaid Coverage of Generators
• Presentation Slides for Emergency Power Solutions Webinar
• Transcript for Emergency Power Solutions Webinar

As with any disaster, GCPD reminds Texans to follow the guidance from local electric utility providers, emergency response personnel, and all safety directions before using a back-up power source.