The following recommendations come from the Disaster Center for persons with hearing, speech, or language disabilities:

* When you dial 9-1-1, be sure to indicate a TDD call.
* Keep a writing pad and pencils with you to communicate with others.
* Keep a flashlight handy to signal your whereabouts to other people and for illumination to aid in communication. A whistle can also help let people know where you are.
* Remind friends that you cannot completely hear warnings or emergency instructions. Ask them to be your source of emergency information as it comes over the radio and television. Another option is to use a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone-alert feature connected to lights. When a watch or warning is issued for your area, the light would alert you to potential danger.
* If you have a hearing ear dog, be aware that the dog may become confused or disoriented in an emergency.
* If you have a hearing ear dog, store extra food, water, and supplies for your dog. Trained hearing ear dogs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with their owners. Be sure to take the documents certifying your dog as a service animal.

The center also recommends checking with local emergency management officials for more information.

For more information and additional resources, visit www.disabilitypreparedness.gov/ppp/disabil.htm.