Real Emergency Access for Aging & Disability Inclusion (REAADI) for Disasters

June 2019 – The collaboration of twenty-eight associations, the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), composed letters to the House and Senate in support of the Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion (REAADI) for Disasters Act. Thus far, this extensive support has resulted in the bill being introduced by U.S. Representatives Langevin and Casey in the House and Senate [S. 1755 and HR. 3208). The REAADI Act developed several processes to promote well-designed emergency preparedness, disaster response and recovery system to ensure the safety, rights, and dignity of people with disabilities. This Act would establish a National Commission on Disability Rights and Disasters to study the needs of individuals with disabilities, create a network of centers focused on training and technical assistance, direct the Department of Justice to review the spending of disaster funds, and create a grant program for increased inclusion strategies with people with disabilities. The implementation of the REAADI Act hopes to ensure that older people and people with disabilities are not disproportionately affected by the disaster [Source: ANCOR and REAADI for Disasters Act].