6 U.S.C. § 321b: Disability Coordinator

Summary

The Administrator must appoint a Disability Coordinator after consulting disability groups, the National Council on Disabilities, and the Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities. The Coordinator reports directly to the Administrator to make sure people with disabilities are included in emergency preparedness and disaster relief. The Coordinator gives guidance and coordinates planning and response for people with disabilities. They work with agency staff, other governments, and disability organizations. They share best practices and evacuation plans, create training, promote accessible hotlines and websites, push for accessible emergency video (broadcasters, cable, satellite), help ensure accessible evacuation transport and respect for post-evacuation housing choices, include disability needs in the national preparedness system, and carry out other tasks the Administrator assigns.

Title 6, §321b

Domestic Security, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

After consultation with organizations representing individuals with disabilities, the National Council on Disabilities, and the Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, established under Executive Order No. 13347, the Administrator shall appoint a Disability Coordinator. The Disability Coordinator shall report directly to the Administrator, in order to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in emergency preparedness and disaster relief.

(b)Responsibilities

The Disability Coordinator shall be responsible for— (1)

(2)interacting with the staff of the Agency, the National Council on Disabilities, the Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities established under Executive Order No. 13347, other agencies of the Federal Government, and State, local, and tribal government authorities regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(3)consulting with organizations that represent the interests and rights of individuals with disabilities about the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;

(4)ensuring the coordination and dissemination of best practices and model evacuation plans for individuals with disabilities;

(5)ensuring the development of training materials and a curriculum for training of emergency response providers, State, local, and tribal government officials, and others on the needs of individuals with disabilities;

(6)promoting the accessibility of telephone hotlines and websites regarding emergency preparedness, evacuations, and disaster relief;

(7)working to ensure that video programming distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite television services, make emergency information accessible to individuals with hearing and vision disabilities;

(8)ensuring the availability of accessible transportation options for individuals with disabilities in the event of an evacuation;

(9)providing guidance and implementing policies to ensure that the rights and wishes of individuals with disabilities regarding post-evacuation residency and relocation are respected;

(10)ensuring that meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities are included in the components of the national preparedness system established under section 744 of this title; and

(11)any other duties as assigned by the Administrator.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Executive Order No. 13347, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b)(2), is set out as a note under section 314 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Any reference to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in title VI of Pub. L. 109–295 or an amendment by title VI to be considered to refer and apply to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Mar. 31, 2007, see section 612(f)(2) of Pub. L. 109–295, set out as a note under section 313 of this title.

§321b Disability Coordinator