The Initiative is a preparedness workbook aimed at people with special functional needs, who may need additional assistance during a public health emergency. The workbook is not pandemic-specific, yet it focuses on enhancing individual preparedness and resiliency in the face of a variety of emergencies. The cover page explains the context of this practice in clear, empathic language: "People with disabilities have the right to participate in all phases, in planning for, responding to, and recovery from emergencies." More than 100,000 copies of the kit have been distributed to numerous state agencies that serve special needs populations.
The well-organized kit consists of three folders: 1) Emergency Plan for Home; 2) Be Prepared to Go to a Shelter; and 3) Important People and Papers. Each subject area is covered in a brief workbook, and individuals complete documents that can be kept or shared as needed. The folders also contain clear, simple suggestions for emergency preparedness, most of which are also applicable to pandemic preparedness. One reviewer mentioned that the kit's recommendations to obtain extra copies of prescriptions and stockpile medications may not be feasible.
Completing the workbooks requires a fair amount of effort, but splitting the documents into three topics makes the project less daunting. Language is targeted to a general population, and the purpose of each activity is clearly stated. A short shelter checklist is listed as a companion piece to the workbook, as it represents outreach to groups that assist people with special functional needs. Many organizations and agencies that are continuing to plan for special needs populations could benefit from adapting both the kit's folders and the shelter checklist.
