Flood Recovery Resources for
Vermonters with Disabilities
These past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind for most of our state, and we wanted to take a moment to compile resources for folks navigating flood recovery with disabilities. This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources, but we want you to know that we are here to help navigate resources as related to assistive technology and disability.
- Vermont.gov Flood Resources : this is the general resource page that is being updated for all Vermonters and includes information on who to contact, how to get financial assistance, and some clean up guidance. It is also available in many languages.
- Vermont ASL Flooding 2023 video: Laura Siegel, Director of Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind Services at DAIL, flood recovery information in ASL and with closed captions.
- FEMA Accessible YouTube: FEMA has a playlist of videos that are in ASL to help folks navigate the various processes.
- Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Rutland and Washington Counties (FEMA.gov): The centers are accessible to people with disabilities and access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology equipment. Survivors who need a reasonable accommodation or sign language interpreter may call 833-285-7448 (press 2 for Spanish).
- Rainbow Bridge Community Center (rainbowbridgevt.org): This center in Barre is helping to coordinate flood resources for the Barre community. From their website: "We want to be very clear with the world: The RBCC, Rainbow Response, and the Rainbow Relief Fund are here for the most vulnerable people in our community. This means we prioritize the poor, elders, youth, people with disabilities, and people that have other risk factors in America such as being BIPOC or queer. We do not prioritize landlords or businesses, as resources for them are abundant and readily accessible. In this world, where there is people, there is need. Where there is need, there is community unrealized."
Green Mountain Self Advocates put together a PDF with images and plain language explaining What a Water Boil Notice means. The state has a current list of Boil Water notices (anrweb.vt.gov), but this would also apply to folks wells that were flooded.
And if you're durable medical equipment was affected, you might be able to get a loaner from our friends Ray and Sue Toolan in Montpelier, VT who have kept a durable medical equipment loan closet for many, many years. They were unaffected by the flood but may be experiencing an uptick in requests. Their email is sylak@comcast.net.
Our AT Exchange is also a good place to look for equipment. To view all items on the AT Exchange, visit vt.at4all.com. On the left menu click Item List. Then, in the center of the page under Programs, click General Listing. You can then view all of the listings under the AT Exchange. And if you have lightly used, clean AT or DME that is in need of a new home, please consider listing it on the exchange to help your fellow Vermonters in this time of need.
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Assistive Technology for Disaster Recovery
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Midland WR120 Weather Radio with Silent Call Light and Bed Shaker (diglo.com): It's important to have access to the public weather alerts from the National Weather Service. In times of disasters, we may be without phone, internet, or electricity. A battery-operated NOAA radio helps ensure access to these important Public Alerts. The Midland Weather Alert radio adds text, a strobe light, a bed shaker, and a splitter to add other accessories to help make it accessible to folks that are deaf and hard of hearing.
NWR Special Needs (weather.gov) lists some other technology that might be helpful as well, although it appears that this page might have some outdated options.
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BackEZ Back-Saving Tool Handle Attachment:
Flood Recovery often comes with A LOT of shoveling. Consider a tool add-on like the BackEZ to help lighten the load. BackEZ offset handle design keeps you standing taller and reduces back bend by 30%. It's $10 on Amazon.
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DIY Assistive Spray Bottle (cracked-it.org): During the cleaning process, it's likely you will also be spraying many kinds of cleaning sprays, and mold preventatives. Try this DIY enhancement that lengthens the triggers handle of a spray bottle to prevent injuring your pointer finger or help with arthritis or weak hand grip.
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Contact the Vermont Assistive Technology Program by calling 1-800-750-6355 or by emailing dail.atinfo@vermont.gov. For more information visit our website (www.atp.vermont.gov). And if there is a topic that you'd like to see covered, please feel free to let us know!
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