Overview of the Whole Community Approach Disability Rights

Overview of the Whole Community Approach, Disability Rights, and FNSS Integration in Emergency Management Instructor’s Name

Topics • Concept of the Whole Community approach • Legal foundations of disability rights • Key accessibility and nondiscrimination concepts • Key considerations for the delivery of Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) • Implementation strategies • Texas FNSS toolkit

Take a Guess What is the “Whole Community approach”? Why is it important? How can this approach improve the ability to meet the needs of people with access and functional needs in an emergency?

Whole Community Approach Principles • Understand meet the actual needs of the whole community • Engage and empower all parts of the community • Strengthen what works well in the communities on a daily basis

Whole Community Strategic Themes • Understand community complexity • Recognize community capabilities and needs • Foster relationships with community leaders • Build and maintain partnerships • Empower local action • Leverage and strengthen social infrastructures, networks, and assets

Access and Functional Needs • People with access and functional needs are those individuals which may require additional assistance before, during and after an incident including but not limited to maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision and medical care.

Individuals with Disabilities • A person who: • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities • Has a record of such an impairment • Is regarded as having such an impairment

Legal Foundations Federal • Stafford Act • Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Rehabilitation Act (RA) • Fair Housing Act Amendments • Architectural Barriers Act State • Texas Accessibility Standards • Texas Web Accessibility Standards Local

Key Accessibility and Nondiscrimination Concepts Self-determination Physical access No “One Size Fits All” Equal access Equal opportunity to benefits Effective communication Inclusion Program modifications Integration No Charge

Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS)

Key Considerations in Emergency Management • Emergency notifications • Equal access • Disability stakeholder inclusion • Demographic awareness Response Preparedness Mitigation • Ensure physical access to shelters before a disaster strikes Recovery • Services for return • Safe/accessible housing options

Implementation Strategies Establish working groups Reach out to communities Seek education opportunities Utilize toolkits and references

What you have learned: • Concept of whole community approach • Legal foundations • Key accessibility and Nondiscrimination concepts • Key considerations for the delivery of Functional Needs Support Services (FNSS) • Implementation strategies • Texas FNSS toolkit

Let’s see if you get it What does whole community approach mean? By which laws is it mandated? Key inclusion concepts? Key considerations for the delivery of FNSS? Moving forward strategies? Useful tool/reference?