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Politics & Government

Winter Poses Difficulties for Disabled Residents

Citizens with disabilities in the area should make sure they are prepared for the season's adverse conditions.

Staying safe during the winter can be difficult for anyone, but it can be especially challenging if you are one of the millions of Americans living with a disability. Slipping on ice or getting sick is dangerous for the physically disabled. But there is the good news—there are organizations and new technologies to help the disabled in the greater Rose Hill area and Fairfax County stay safe in the winter.

The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has made special accommodations to help disabled residents in the county stay safe during the harsh winter weather. And right now, before snow has blanketed the region, the county is gearing up to help those with disabilities get around during a cold and potentially snowy winter.

Bruce McFarlane, inclusive emergency planner at OEM, still remembers last year's snowstorms, saying that keeping disabled residents safe is an ongoing effort and is very much needed for people with special needs. "It's really important that people with disabilities take care of their medical needs," McFarlane said.

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As an example, last year there was a resident who needed emergency kidney dialysis, so the Fairfax division of OEM called upon the National Chapter to get the individual the care that was needed.

OEM stresses the importance of staying informed of the weather, so Fairfax County created the Community Emergency Alert Network (CEAN), which can be accessed online. "CEAN is a community communication network to help people see what weather conditions they will encounter," McFarlane said.

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The network was created by Fairfax County, but its content applies to anyone, both in the county and in other areas. CEAN allows the disabled community to log on to the Internet and keep track of the weather and stay aware of emergency events via e-mail or test message. Users can sign into the CEAN system and get instant access to information that will impact their travel plans, whether it is traffic, weather or emergency notifications

OEM encourages disabled residents to have at least two emergency contacts on hand, should they need help or transportation. The organization encourages people with special medical needs to register with the Medical Needs Registry, which can be accessed atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/specialneeds.

People with disabilities must overcome a number of challenges that most people do not deal with on a daily basis. This is why it is so important to know how to navigate bad weather. OEM encourages disabled individuals to be proactive in planning for emergency weather situations because it is difficult for those with mobility issues to get around in the snow.

If you or someone you love has a disability, it is important to make sure you have extra medication and medical supplies on hand. This is especially helpful when it's possible to be confined to the house for extended periods of time and unable to get to a pharmacy or doctor's office.

MacFarlane said it is important to have extra backup medical equipment in the event that medication is lost or the person who needs the equipment becomes housebound. It is also necessary to have extra non-refrigerated medication in case the power goes down. Having a power backup will also help if the power goes out.

"If they (residents with disabilities) don't have power, Fairfax County may set up shelters, if there are several people who need some place to go," McFarlane said, emphasizing the importance of being prepared.

Last February, the Fairfax OEM set up a shelter for disabled residents who were displaced due to extreme weather and needed a place to stay. Though the shelter was temporary, it provided people with special needs to have a place to stay.  

If you are physically disabled, it is absolutely essential to have canes and other mobility devices that can help you get around. You also need to have a close friend or loved one who can help and keep you as safe as possible as icy temperatures and snowfall are just around the corner.

December 5-11 is Winter Preparedness Week in Virginia and to mark the occasion Rose Hill Patch will run a week-long series of articles that provides residents with tips and resources to help cope with the cold weather.

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