“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.”


