The New Disaster Policy Wiki -
What It Is and How To Use It


Tracking the implementation status 
of thousands of post-Katrina policy 
recommendations.


Disaster Accountability Project Logo - Stylized logo of wind, fire, water, and cracked earth (earthquake)

•The Disaster Policy Wiki is a user-friendly 
online clearinghouse of post-disaster policy 
recommendations. 


•Through the Disaster Policy Wiki, DAP will 
track reports and recommendations and 
spotlight forgotten or ignored policy 
recommendations to facilitate improved 
oversight of the agencies and organizations 
responsible for their implementation.




•Report: Effective Emergency Management: 
Making Improvements for Communities and 
People with Disabilities
•Author: National Council on Disability
•Date: August 2009
•514 Pages




•14) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Hire 
disability coordinators at the FEMA regional 
offices. (p.17) YES


•54) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Re-issue 
Executive Order 13347 to require that people 
with disabilities and their advocates be 
integrated into local preparedness and 
planning efforts. (p.84) 




•56) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Strengthen 
compliance with FCC policies on emergency 
communications, closed captioning, and similar 
tools for disseminating warning messages. (p.84)
•100) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: 
Policymakers should add specialized training for 
first responders on rescue techniques for people 
with disabilities as a requirement for certain 
types of Homeland Security grants. (p. 135) 




•86) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Train 
staff and volunteers on an annual basis on 
how to accommodate people with disabilities 
and medical needs (as appropriate) in general 
population shelters. (p. 134) 




•Report: Working Conference on Emergency 
Management and Individuals with Disabilities 
and the Elderly
•Author: U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, U.S. 
Dept of Health and Human Services
•Date: September 2006
•91 Pages




•6) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Ensure that 
Medicaid waivers that allow for state-to-state 
services are part of emergency plans. Restriction 
in the Medicaid program for community-based 
services prevents proper referral and care for 
people with disabilities. (pg.7)
•1) RECOMMENDATION SENTENCE: Develop a 
federal term, definition, or model to signify 
“special needs populations” that can be used as 
a guide for state and local authorities in 
emergency planning. (pg. 7)




•Do you have a report you would like us to add to 
the Disaster Policy Wiki?
•Do you want to be notified when the Wiki 
launches?
•Do you want to join our team of 
“Recommendation Trackers?” 
•Do you want to learn more about a national 
coalition forming now to advocate for the 
implementation of post-Katrina policy 
recommendations?



Email:ben@disasteraccountability.org