Access & Functional Needs
No two disasters are ever the same; yet, virtually all incidents disproportionately affect individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) (i.e. people with disabilities, older adults, children, limited English proficiency, and transportation disadvantaged). Understanding this harsh reality, in 2008 California established the Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN) within the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
The purpose of OAFN is to identify the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access or functional needs before, during, and after disasters and to integrate them into the State’s emergency management systems.
OAFN 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. In short, OAFN plans for the realities of disasters by integrating access and functional needs into everything Cal OES does including partnership development, outreach, training, guidance and providing technical assistance.
Luis “Vance” Taylor is the Chief of the Office of Access and Functional Needs.
Explore this Section
Communication
AFN-specific communication recommendations and considerations
OAFN Newsletter
Updates on the great work OAFN is doing in collaboration with our partners
Evacuation & Transportation
AFN-specific evacuation and transportation recommendations and considerations
Sheltering
AFN-specific sheltering recommendations and considerations
OAFN Web Map
Interactive GIS-based emergency management tool
AFN Library
Comprehensive clearinghouse of AFN-specific materials, guidance documents, and best practices
California Community Network
OAFN partner organizations
Understanding Access and Functional Needs
Access and functional needs (AFN) refers to individuals who are or have:
- Physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities
- Chronic conditions or injuries
- Limited English proficiency
- Older adults
- Children
- Low income, homeless, and/or transportation disadvantaged (i.e., dependent on public transit)
- Pregnancy
Disaster Response
OAFN has responded to every major incident to support local efforts and assist as needed:
Worked with the American Red Cross and local jurisdictions to ensure shelters are accessible;
Assisted in securing accessible showers, porta-potties and hand washing stations for use at shelters;
Helped utilize American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at town halls, press events, and Recovery Centers; and
Collaborated with local agencies to provide accessible transportation to shelters and Local Assistance Centers.
Training: G197 Integrating Access and Functional Needs into Emergency Planning Training Course
Offered through the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) the G197 training course brings together local emergency managers, members of the disability community, and AFN-related stakeholders to discuss integration of emergency management plans. Register for a future course through CSTI’s Learning Management System.
Integrated Curriculum Development Project
OAFN, in conjunction with CSTI and our whole community partners, recently developed three AFN-specific online courses. Each course provides information, guidance, and best practices for integrating access and functional needs within the following components of an emergency operation plan:
Inclusive Evacuation and Transportation – Online Course
Inclusive Sheltering Plans and Operations – Online Course
Inclusive Communications – Online Course
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Position Credentialing Program
This statewide program promotes an enhanced level of readiness and response for day-to-day emergencies and catastrophic disasters by ensuring qualified and competent staffing for EOCs. All Type III credentialed emergency managers (the entry-level) now need to take and pass an access and functional needs (AFN)-specific training course.
Disaster Response Interpreter (DRI)
OAFN’s Disaster Response Interpreter (DRI) program certifies ASL interpreters to provide services at shelters, town halls, press conferences and community events during emergencies and to standardize the practice of having on-screen interpreting at all statewide press forums.
Active Shooter Awareness Guidance
Following the active shooter attack on December 2, 2015 at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, initial reports indicated it was an assault on the disabled. Though we later learned this was not the case; the thought of an attack on individuals with disabilities raised serious concerns over the current lack of guidance regarding the access and functional needs (AFN) considerations associated with an active shooter attack.
To address this issue, Cal OES brought together a workgroup consisting of representatives from law enforcement, the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities, emergency managers, the California Specialized
Training Institute and other disability stakeholders to update its Active Shooter Awareness Guidance.
We are proud to inform you that the revised guidance, which now integrates access and functional needs considerations, has been completed and is now publicly available! We encourage you to read and share it with your stakeholders.
Download the updated Active Shooter Awareness Guidance (English)
Download the updated Active Shooter Awareness Guidance (Spanish)
Disasters Planning Priorities
Lessons documented from years of assisting individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) in disasters show three areas repeatedly identified as needing improvement:
Communications: Information delivered at press conferences by public officials and broadcasted on television during a disaster is critical. This information needs to be effective, understood, consumable, and actionable by the whole community. For detailed guidance on improving disaster-related communications, visit the Communications webpage and the Communications section of the AFN Library.
Transportation: When local evacuations become necessary, considerations for the whole community include accessible transportation options, medical needs, and keeping individuals connected with their families, personal care providers, essential equipment & technologies, and service animals. For detailed guidance on planning for evacuations and transportation, visit the Evacuation & Transportation webpage and the Evacuation and Transportation section of the AFN Library.
Sheltering: Shelters can be stressful environments and accelerate the negative impacts of disasters when they are not planned with the whole community. General population shelters need to be in accessible locations and equipped with resources and considerations to meet the basic human needs of the whole community. For detailed guidance on sheltering, visit the Sheltering webpage and the Sheltering section of the AFN Library.