A Guide for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Understanding the Risks
If you have an intellectual disability, you may face extra challenges during floods, storms, cyclones, or other disasters. Understanding warnings, following instructions, or making quick decisions can sometimes be harder, which may increase risk if severe weather strikes suddenly.
Having a simple plan, clear instructions, and trusted support people can make it easier to stay safe. Practising routines and knowing what to do in advance helps you feel confident and prepared.
Top 10 Preparedness Tips
- Keep instructions simple and clear – Use step-by-step plans or visual guides to make your actions easy to follow.
- Make an easy-to-read emergency plan – Include who to call, where to go, and what to take.
- Use alarms and alerts you can understand – Sign up for SMS, phone, or visual alerts, and ask someone to help explain them if needed.
- Practice your plan regularly – Knowing what to do helps you act quickly during real events.
- Prepare a simple emergency kit – Include essentials like water, food, medications, and personal items, in a bag you can carry.
- Identify trusted support people – Family, friends, carers, or neighbours who can check in and assist you.
- Plan accessible transport – Know how to get to safe places if your usual route is blocked.
- Use visual aids or symbols – Mark exits, supplies, or meeting points with simple, clear signs.
- Include items for comfort – Things that reduce stress, like favourite items or calming objects.
- Keep emergency contacts handy – A laminated card or phone list with names and numbers of carers, family, or support services.
Queensland Free Support Services
Planning & Communication Support
- National Relay Service (NRS) – Accessible phone services for people who cannot communicate verbally. (nrschat.nrscall.gov.au)
- Disability Gateway – Central resource for emergency planning, guides, and assistance for people with intellectual disabilities. (disabilitygateway.gov.au)
- Local Council Community Support Teams – Help with personalised emergency planning and accessible information.
Evacuation & Transport
- Make sure you have the right support to reach evacuation centres or safe locations if needed.
Recovery & Emotional Support
- Community Recovery Hotline – 24/7 support for financial, practical, and emotional recovery after disasters. (qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies)
- Housing Assistance After Disasters – Help accessing temporary or permanent accessible housing.
Decision making table:
| Before the Event | Ask Yourself in Simple Words | What to Do Next / Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Do I understand the warning? | Did I see or hear a warning from the council, SES, or BoM? | Ask a trusted person to explain what the warning means. Ask for pictures, simple words, or symbols to better understand. |
| Should I leave my home or stay? | Is it safe to stay in my home? Can I get out if I need to? | If leaving is needed, follow your simple plan step by step. If staying, make a safe area inside your home with essentials close by. |
| Do I have everything I need? | Do I have my emergency bag ready? Medications? Phone or charger? | Pack your bag with water, snacks, medicines, emergency numbers, and anything that helps you feel safe. |
| Do I know where to go? | Where will I go if I have to leave? Do I know the way? | Plan your route using landmarks, pictures, or with a trusted helper. Have backup options. |
| Who can help me? | Who will check on me or help me leave safely? | Make a list of people you can call or who will come to help. Save it on your phone and write it down. |
| Do I know what “evacuate” or “shelter in place” means? | Evacuate = leave the house; Shelter in place = stay inside safely. | Practice both: know your safe spots inside and where to go outside. Use simple visual signs to remind you. |
| Can I move around safely at home? | Are doors, stairs, or ramps clear? | Remove obstacles, keep pathways clear, and have mobility aids ready if needed. |
| What if I get scared or confused? | Do I have something that helps me feel safe? | Keep comfort items, favourite objects, or music nearby. Have someone you trust to talk you through it. |
| Have I practised my plan? | Do I know what to do step by step? | Go over your plan with a helper. Practice leaving, calling for help, and using your emergency bag. |
| Do I have back-up if plans fail? | Who else can help if my first support person isn’t available? | Make a small support network: family, friends, neighbours, carers, or council contacts. |
Easy Read Translations
| Official Warning Word | Easy Read Explanation | Example / Action |
|---|---|---|
| Flood Watch | There might be flooding soon | Check your home and things; listen to alerts; start preparing your bag. |
| Flood Warning | Flooding is coming | Move things off the floor, follow your evacuation plan if needed. |
| Severe Weather Warning | Bad weather is coming | Stay inside, check your kit, and watch for updates. |
| Evacuation Order | Leave now | Follow your plan and go to your safe place or shelter. |
| Shelter in Place | Stay inside safely | Stay at home, move to a safe room, don’t go outside. |
| Storm Tide Warning | Sea water might flood land | Move things upstairs if you can, follow council advice. |
| Watch and Act | Be ready to move if needed | Get your bag, know your exit, follow instructions quickly. |
| Advice | Something you should know | Read or listen to it carefully, it might help you stay safe. |
| Dangerous Situation | You could get hurt | Follow your safe plan immediately. |