Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) urges Louisiana residents who use Assistive Technology (AT) to make plans and become prepared to be able to evacuate with all AT devices and components necessary for independent daily living in the face of imminent flooding.

In addition to being personally prepared for all disasters, LATAN offers the following checklist of suggestions that users of AT can follow when faced with evacuation:

• Keep devices charged
• Store chargers, extra batteries, and adapters with devices
• Take a plastic zipper bag and/or electronic file (disc or flash drive) containing all AT info including:
• Device name
• Manufacturer's name & info
• Model and Serial numbers
• Vendor (Store's/Seller's) name & info
• Date of purchase and copy of receipt if available
• Copy of Doctor's or Therapist's prescription if available & contact info
• Funder's (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, Insurance Co.) name, contact info, & policy numbers
• Label all AT devices and components with owner's name and contact info
• Post "how-to" instructions on big or complex devices for first responders and evacuation personnel
• If relying on local/state officials for evacuation touch base with them and remind them of AT needs

Louisiana residents with access and functional needs may want to review the LATAN Emergency Preparedness Video© for tips on being prepared for disasters. This video is fully accessible through American Sign Language (ASL) and open captioning. This preparedness tool is for sale for $35 on LATAN's website (www.latan.org) on the DVD webpage. For more information or to purchase via phone, call LATAN's Emergency Preparedness program at 225.925.9500 (Voice/TDD) or 1.800.270.6185 (Voice/TDD).

LATAN's Emergency Preparedness webpage also contains helpful resources. Contact information is available on disability organizations, radio stations, weather portals, preparedness tips, FEMA, American Red Cross, plus many more resources.

For assistance with AT devices before, during, and after a disaster, please contact LATAN:

Phone 225.925.9500 V/T ~ Toll-free 1.800.270.6185 V/T ~ Fax 225.925.9560