That kind of list exists in some of Tokyo's central wards, but, as David suggests, they need to be updated.  Also, the problem exists in greater Tokyo that there will be so much rubble in the narrow streets and transportation will be so difficult after a large earthquake (e.g. something like 1923), no one from the Ward office will be able to get to the affected person.  What is more important is for people in apartment blocks and neighborhoods to work out preparedness plans and know where elderly and disabled people are and be prepared to provide assistance at that highly local scale.  Furthermore, the elderly and people living with disabilities should be part of that planning process.

Ben Wisner
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-----Original Message-----
From: David Crichton <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sep 7, 2005 4:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Disability Issues...

In an earlier email I mentioned the importance of having lists of addresses of people with disabilities etc so that they could be given physical assistance in evacuation.  There were such lists in London before the Thames Barrier was completed, but since then I don't know if the plans have been updated.  

Interestingly, in the UK it is quite common to see wheelchair and guide dog users shopping in our cities, but I have never once seen them on any of my trips to the USA.  I also cannot recall seeing any wheelchair ramps or doors or toilets designed for the disabled in any public places, while in the UK they are everywhere.  Why is there such a difference, or am I mistaken?


David Crichton, Visiting Professor, Benfield Hazard Research Centre, UCL


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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kyle Sterry 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Monday, September 05, 2005 10:04 PM
  Subject: Disability Issues...


  Before I begin my email, I realise that even "normal" people were not looked 
  after by authorities as well as it could have been - in particular the poor 
  and those trapped in urban poverty.  I say this very broadly as this is not 
  the main point of my email...  This is more to bring to your attention about 
  disability issues....

  I've received an email from a list, describing how a disabled lady tried to 
  get help to be evacuated to the Superdome before the storm arrived, and 
  unable to summon help by telephone, 911 and emails.  Her plight is not 
  known, but in it describes how she couldn't move to a higher floor in her 
  building to stay clear of the flood waters, and her personal assistants 
  couldn't move her.

  It is not just about those on/under the poverty line that are especially 
  vulnerable, but disabled and elderly people and those who rely on medication 
  in order to survive are just as, if not more so vulnerable too.  They needed 
  more time to evacuate (eg, a deaf person may not have not heard the first 
  few warnings/evacuation orders),  specialist equipment needed to move some 
  people (not just wheelchair users), advance stock of medicines/batteries, 
  and ensuring the shelter is suitably equipped to handle such evacuees.  Even 
  as the rescue operation goes on, this is still need to be considered - after 
  a week, medical supplies will run low, no electricity will mean medical 
  devices will not work.  The longer term recovery phase will be a challenge 
  to accommodate this group given the complexities involved.

  I wonder if anyone who is going to do a rapid assessment of some sort, or 
  going to visit the area in the future is going to consider the disability 
  issues.  A modern society such as America should be able to begin to know 
  how to manage this group of people who have been ignored in the past.  I 
  know a few American emergency managers would love to get more information on 
  this issue as there's simply not enough out there at the moment because it 
  remains a poorly studied field in DM. I have a feeling a similar story 
  applies in the UK as well.   Just how many disabled people were left behind, 
  how many of them were in a situation made life-threatening by virtue of 
  their needs and what are the lessons that can be learnt?

  Thanks for your time.

  Kyle Sterry,
  www.sterry.me.uk -- www.4x4jamboree.co.uk
  Civil Protection Officer and GIS Support.
  MSc Researcher in Disaster Management & Sustainable Development, University 
  of Northumbria.  UK.
  BSc (Hons) Geoscience, University of Aberdeen.  UK.