This page lists resources for people with disabilities on emergency preparedness, disaster relief, health care, and community support in B.C.
Accessibility and emergency planning resources
Planning resources for emergency preparedness and accessibility
BC Accessibility HUB has a Developing Your First Accessibility Plan as a practical toolkit for prescribed organizations.
BC’s Accessibility policy and guidelines detail accessibility legislation and content standards
PreparedBC offers emergency preparation resources and hazard-specific planning guides for local governments, including: Resources for People with Disabilities, a Neighbourhood Guide, the Small Business Guide, and Apartment and Condos Guide
UBCM’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund supports policy and planning for emergency preparedness and the Guidance Document outlines Accessible BC Act requirements for BC jurisdictions.
Disability Alliance BC offers resources around emergency preparedness and disability, including Planning for People with Disabilities in Emergencies and Disasters: A Toolkit for Local Governments and information on setting up accessible reception centres, and communications.
WHO Health Emergency Preparedness in Cities and Urban Settings offers guidance to local authorities.
BC Housing’s Local Government Tool Kit to Plan and Develop Emergency Lodging is a guide of minimum requirements for use by jurisdictions and designers for post-disaster housing designs.
The Emergency Management Central Booking Portal provides Emergency Support Services (ESS) with a tool to ensure evacuees can find safe and secure accommodation during crises.
Open source maps and data
iMapBC is a public tool that provides access to thousands of digital maps and geospatial datasets across BC, including environmental, hazard, land use, infrastructure, and climate-related data.
BC Data Catalogue offers Web Mapping Services (WMS), including downloadable datasets covering environmental hazards, floodplains, wildfire risk, climate projections, and social infrastructure.
Regional districts and cities also have open data portals (such as Metro Vancouver’s Open Data Portal)
Universities have GIS and data resources, such as UBC’s library with UN and World Bank Data
EmergencyInfo BC offers terms, resources and online tools.
Government of Canada Emergency Services covers preparedness, response, and recovery for various emergencies, including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.
EmergencyMap BC serves as a general reference for current public safety conditions during emergencies.
Emergency preparedness and disaster response services for people with disabilities
Find Support BC connects families of persons with disabilities with resources available to them.
Local and regional Disability Resource Centres across BC offer support, advocacy, and resources for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Disability Alliance BC offers resources around emergency preparedness, including on accessible messaging and Personal Emergency Planning.
Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs (Canada)
PreparedBC resources for people with disabilities
Salvation Army British Columbia and Red Cross activate to offer shelter and services for people with disabilities during disaster
Community Living BC (CLBC) is a provincial Crown corporation that funds supports for people 19 years or older who have a developmental disability.
Resources for Parent Support & Education – Burnaby/Lower Mainland a list of organizations (in alphabetical order) that provide education and support for families with children with disabilities.
BC211 is a nonprofit that connects individuals with community services, including disability support.
The Emergency Management Central Booking Portal will an Emergency Support Services tool for evacuees to find accommodation during crises.
Get Prepared – Your Emergency Preparedness Guide is a practical guide for individuals and groups.
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility provides innovative hearing solutions and accessible communication services for individuals, organizations and businesses.
BC Housing’s Emergency shelter program offers shelter accommodation, including seasonal and temporary shelter services.
Other related resources
Apps such as The Hand Talk app can help translate English to ASL in real time.
Wavefront Centre for Communication Accessibility provides innovative hearing solutions and accessible communication services for individuals, organizations and businesses.
Voyent Alert! allows RDN residents, businesses or visitors to receive alert notifications through an app on your cell phone, text message, voice call or email for critical events such as floods, wildfires or other local emergencies.
Local radio stations provide news and emergency updates, making them especially valuable during power outages.
Evacuation chairs providers.
List of Accessible Taxis in BC.
Pathways Chilliwack and Fraser Health Rural community services and programs list for caregiver support.
The Emergency Management Central Booking Portal provides Emergency Support Services (ESS) with a tool to ensure evacuees can find safe and secure accommodation during crises.
Asthma and COPD Education Program provided by Northern Health provides free asthma education to pediatric and adult patients, focusing on self-management skills, helping individuals achieve well-controlled asthma and to recognize worsening asthma.
BC SPCA provides emergency boarding, pet food, and supplies to evacuees.
RDOS Regional Connections offers news and information, including an extreme heat assessment and response planning project.