Exploring the Factors Associated With the Disaster Preparedness of Human Service Organizations Serving Persons With Disabilities

ABSTRACT

This study explores the factors associated with disaster preparedness among nonprofit human service organizations (HSOs) serving persons with a disability. By using secondary data, the representatives of 232 nonprofit HSOs in seven states answered questions about disaster preparedness during telephone interviews. The results indicated that many organizations lack specific policies regarding shelter, evacuation assistance, and transportation services for persons with disabilities. The study’s findings also indicated that the disability conditions of clients, collaboration with governmental organizations, disaster services capacity, and organizational size are significantly associated with HSOs’ disaster preparedness. Practical implications for nonprofit managers and policymakers are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaboration
• disability
• disaster preparedness
• human service organizations
• resource capacity

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Brian J. Gerber, principal investigator, and Dr. Frances Norwood, co-investigator, for assistance with these Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects.

Funding

This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CFDA number 84.133EA-5).

Notes

¹ Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the United States (http://www.thearc.org/who-we-are).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CFDA number 84.133EA-5).