Emergency Services for People with Disabilities 

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The Denver Division of Disability Rights encourages you to take reasonable steps to prepare yourself and your home for emergencies, while also remaining calm.

Although restaurants and bars have been directed to close to onsite seating for the next eight weeks, many restaurants remain open for delivery, carry-out, and drive-through services. Additionally, most essential businesses and services, such as pharmacies, grocery stores, health care facilities, banks, gas stations, and public transportation options remain open.

Supplies and Planning

It is good practice to have adequate supplies to shelter in your home that can last between 3 -5 days. Suggestions include the following:

• First Aid Kit
• Canned goods
• Pet food
• Personal hygiene items
• Non-perishable foods
• Non-prescription medications
• Water
• Dried/dehydrated foods
• Disinfectants
• Flashlight
• Toilet paper
• Batteries/Electronic Chargers

In addition to the previously shared guidance regarding preventative actions (wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, stay home when sick), we also recommend the following:

• Prepare a household plan:
  • Talk to your neighbors about your plans and consider sharing resources.
  • Think about how to create spaces in your residence to separate sick household members from others.
  • Create an emergency contact list that includes friends, family, neighbors, healthcare providers, and any community resources you normally use for personal care and safety.
  • Collect and securely store important documents, such as birth certificate, social security card, passport, licenses, living will, and deeds to property.
• Create a checklist for any First Responders that describes:
  • Any medical conditions and requirements for providers,
  • A list of medications and medical supplies needed for your safety and care,
  • Any medical or dietary allergies.
• Share information with authorities related to survival requirements:
  • If you use life-support devices that depend on electricity, notify the Denver Department of Public Safety (see resource below) and your electricity provider to see if you can be placed on priority reconnection.

Emergency Communications

The Denver Department of Public Safety provides residents with disabilities an opportunity to submit information about yourself or other members of your household who have disabilities in order to help 911 respond appropriately during an emergency. Your information will remain confidential and will give officers advance warning about any pertinent information prior to responding during an emergency.

Please find additional information and the form for the registry (located at the bottom of the page) here: Emergency Services Communications for Special Needs Services

Stay Updated

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment will continuously monitor the COVID-19 situation and updates will be communicated through Denvergov.org and the Division of Disability Rights’ email listserv. To be added to the listserv, please send a request to DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org.

Finally, if situations specific to the disability community arise that our division should be made aware of, please email DisabilityAccess@denvergov.org.

You can also communicate any disability-related needs, discrimination, or other question to covid@ccdconline.org.