54°
49º | 72°
The City of Houston and Harris County's Disability Access & Functional Needs Committee has been honored with the 2024 Martha Arbuckle Award. This recognition comes from the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, acknowledging their innovative Disaster Readiness & Resilience Clinic (DRRC).
The award, named after Austin's disability advocate Martha Arbuckle, highlights significant local committee projects. The award ceremony took place on October 30 in Lancaster, Texas, coinciding with Disability Employment Awareness Month.
The DAFN Planning Committee aims to connect the community with emergency management through equitable practices and services before, during, and after disasters. Disability Rights Texas has long advocated for an inclusive preparedness event to enhance community resilience.
Key contributors to the DRRC include Jackie Miller from the Mayor's Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security and John Fleming from the Houston Health Department. Chief Larry Satterwhite praised their collaborative efforts in disaster planning: "We are honored to receive this award... Our region works collaboratively in disaster planning, preparedness, and resilience."
The DRRC was designed as an inclusive workshop for individuals and families to boost preparedness against potential threats. It addressed barriers faced by people with disabilities and aimed at enhancing community lifelines' readiness through planning and resource recognition.
Participants engaged with providers involved in disaster response to better prepare for risks specific to their needs. The clinic also offered a one-on-one opportunity for participants to create personalized preparedness plans.