AFN Considerations
Intent
Access and Functional Needs (AFN) refers to individuals who may need extra help in an emergency, such as older adults, people with limited English proficiency, people with a disability, people with limited access to transportation, and/or limited access to financial resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency.
Emergency planning should consider the needs of all community members. This page includes guidance, legal requirements, planning tools, and local resources to help agencies better support individuals with access and functional needs before, during, and after emergencies.
AFN Resources for Emergency Managers
Local Resources for Emergency Managers
- Alameda County Social Services Agency: Provides community resources to all Alameda County populations.
- Alameda County Social Services Agency: Provides disaster assistance services for Refugees, Immigrants, and Asylees.
- Accessible Emergency Information (video): Offers 18 free emergency preparedness topics presented in accessible formats specifically designed for individuals who are deaf, blind, or have limited sight.
- ADA Service Dog Laws: Explains that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals with disabilities have the legal right to be accompanied by their trained service dog in public spaces
- AFN Alerts in ASL Flow Chart
- Bay Area UASI’s Critical Transportation Toolkit
- Best Video Conferencing Apps and Software for Accessibility (pdf): A guide produced by The Big Hack and Business Disability Forum that evaluates commonly used platforms on their accessibility features, including live AI captions, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and support for interpreters.
- How to interact with a Service Dog: Offers etiquette guidelines and clarifies service dogs should be left to work undisturbed to support their handlers safely.
State AFN Resources for Emergency Managers
- Cal OES Office of Access and Functional Needs Program: The Office of Access and Functional Needs utilizes a whole community approach by offering training and guidance to emergency managers and planners, disability advocates and other service providers responsible for planning for, responding to and helping communities recover from disasters.
- Cal OES: California Access and Functional Needs Viewer:A statewide, interactive map connects see real-time active emergency shelters and a broad array of AFN-related assets like accessible shelters, transportation services, medical facilities, and community care resources.
- Disaster and Emergency Planning for People with Disabilities and Activity Limitations: Includes a resource library available to Emergency Managers.
- Listos California: Resource Hub: Provides educational materials, training toolkits, and mental health support in many languages.
National AFN Resource for Emergency Managers
- American Academy of Pediatrics:Prioritizing High Risk Groups in Disaster Planning
- Emergency Planning for People with Access & Functional Needs
- FEMA: Youth and Emergency Planning: Strategies on how to create a successful Youth Emergency Preparedness Program.
- U.S. Department of Justice: An ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
- National Association of the Deaf: Position Statement on Accessible Emergency Management for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
- National Council on Disability: Preserving our Freedom: Ending Institutionalization of People with Disabilities During and After Disasters
- Office of Disability Integration and Coordination: Language Guidelines Inclusive Emergency Management
- nterpreter List: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
- General Services Administration (GSA): Create Accessible Digital Products
- Google Workspace: Accessibility settings are now easier to access on Docs, Sheets, and slides
- Guidelines for Creating Accessible Meetings and Events
- The Independence Center: Suggested Strategies for Emergency Communication for People with Disabilities
- Post Disaster Reunification of Children: A Nationwide Approach
- The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership): What is the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies?
- Ready.gov: People with Disabilities : Provides guidance on emergency preparedness to help individuals with visible and invisible disabilities effectively prepare for disasters.
Partnership
Local Partnerships
- ALCO VOAD is a coalition of nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations that support disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. ALCO VOAD strengthens coordination across organizations, helping ensure that support, volunteers, and resources are delivered effectively before, during, and after emergencies.
- Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL): Outlines a range of free, peer-based support programs designed to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently.
- Opportunity, Advocacy & Advancement – Ability Now Bay Area is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers adults with developmental and physical disabilities through comprehensive services such as education, vocational training, wellness programs, communication support, and community integration to help them live independently and advocate for themselves.
National Partnerships
- Colorado’s National and State Level Access and Functional Needs Workgroup: Provides technical support, training, workshops, and planning guidance across all five emergency management mission areas to ensure inclusive, whole-community emergency response efforts.
Contact Us
For technical assistance with planning for access and functional needs, contact: ALCOAFN@acgov.org