“Here is a simple four-step model that ANY family can follow:

 

Step 1 — Identify the Hazards in YOUR Area

  • Typhoons
  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Fire
  • Volcanic ashfall
  • Chemical or industrial hazards (for Indonesia & Philippines)

Use simple words, pictures, or printed symbols.

Avoid information overload.

 

Step 2 — Map the Barriers at Home

Ask each family member:

“What makes evacuation or warning difficult for you?”

Common barriers:

  • Stairs without railings
  • Dimly lit hallways
  • Narrow walkways
  • Noise overload that confuses autistic or neurodivergent youth
  • Audio-only alarms that exclude Deaf family members
  • No tactile markers for blind family members
  • Medications stored in different areas
  • No clear storage for mobility devices

Notice how hazards combined with barriers increase disaster impact — exactly as the Disaster Risk equation shows:

Disaster Risk = (Hazard × Exposure × Vulnerability) ÷ Capacity

  • Hazard — the event itself (flood, earthquake, typhoon)
  • Exposure — being in harm’s way (coastline, flood zone, near volcanic slopes)
  • Vulnerability — conditions that increase harm (poverty, inaccessible buildings, barriers, discrimination)
  • Capacity — resources, skills, and supports that help cope (accessible systems, Go-Bags, community networks)

By removing barriers and increasing capacity, risk decreases for everyone. 

 

Step 3 — Assign Capacity-Based Roles

Roles should be simple, clear, and in line with strengths.

Sample roles:

  • Navigator: identifies evacuation paths
  • Communication Captain: monitors alerts in accessible formats
  • Go-Bag Checker: ensures essentials are complete
  • Support Partner: assigned buddy for evacuation
  • Pet Coordinator: secures pets
  • Medication Manager: organizes medicine, IDs, assistive devices

Notice:

None of these roles say, “You must carry someone.”

Roles are practical, repeatable, and strength-based.

 

Step 4 — Create a Simple & Accessible Go-Bag

A Go-Bag is NOT about buying expensive items.

It should fit what the family actually needs:

Essentials:

  • flashlight
  • basic first aid
  • food & water
  • IDs, medicines
  • whistle
  • copy of evacuation route

Accessibility additions:

  • spare mobility device parts
  • glasses or contacts
  • communication cards
  • tactile or braille labels
  • noise-canceling earplugs
  • batteries or powerbank for AAC or screen reader devices

Remember:

A Go-Bag that isn’t accessible… won’t be used during an emergency.”

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