Press Releases

07/12/2021

Connecticut State Officials Offer Tips for Older Populations and Individuals with Disabilities on Ways To Prepare for Hurricane Season and Summer Storms

During the summer months and into the fall Connecticut is often impacted by severe weather including tornadoes, tropical storms and hurricanes with the potential to cause long-term power outages, the need for evacuation to a shelter and property damage.  Older populations and individuals with disabilities may have different needs in times of severe weather. Now is the time to prepare yourself, family members and friends for these hazards by having a plan and ensuring you have an emergency kit in place to meet your specific needs.

*See: Governor Lamont and Emergency Management Officials Remind Residents to Prepare for Hurricane Season.

“Tropical Storm Elsa, last week, was a reminder as to why everyone needs to prepare for hurricane season by having an appropriate emergency kit for their needs and having a plan on where they are going to go should they need to evacuate” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James C. Rovella. “Public safety is equally important for all of our communities, especially those who are most vulnerable and historically underserved”.

“It’s important to plan ahead in the event of power outages, evacuations and other emergencies, especially as an older adult or a person with a disability,” Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter said. “Use available resources and support networks, and make sure you have an emergency kit that meets your individual needs.”

Preparedness Tips for Individuals With Disabilities and Older Populations:

• Contact your local government’s emergency management office. Many local offices can add you voluntarily to a list of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency. These lists are solely for the purpose of assistance in an emergency and will not be shared for any other reason. 
• Ensure you have a support network and keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit. When creating your emergency kit, consider the unique needs you may have, such as for a service animal, medical equipment and more. Click here for Disability-Specific Tipsfrom the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
• Inform your support network where you keep your emergency supplies. You may want to consider giving one member a key to your house or apartment.
• Be ready to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and choose to go to a shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, personal assistant and your assistive technology devices and supplies.
• Plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify your local or private accessible transportation options.
• If you use a communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. 
• Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.
• Throughout a severe storm or hurricane have a plan to check on neighbors who may need assistance such as infants, children, older adults and people with disabilities.  If you have immediate needs including food and shelter, state resources are available: To find 2-1-1 services available in your area or to search for resources, visit https://www.211ct.org/ or dial 2-1-1.

Before, during and after disaster events, such as major storms, it is important to stay informed and have a plan. For tips, emergency kit planning, communications needs preparedness materials in different languages and more download the CT Prepares app and visit Ready.gov.

For Immediate Release: July 12, 2021
 

Contact: Eric Scoville,
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
Eric.Scoville@ct.gov 
860-309-8760 (cell)

Contact: Kathleen Sullivan,
Department of Aging and Disability Services
Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov
(860) 874-5295 (cell)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 22, 2020

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES CELEBRATES 30 YEARS 
OF ACCESS UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

(HARTFORD, CT) – July 26, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most important pieces of legislation for people with disabilities – the Americans with Disabilities Act. This law, commonly referred to as the ADA was a watershed event in expanding access and protecting the rights of all Americans with disabilities. 

The Department of Aging and Disability Services celebrates this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

“We at Aging and Disability Services embrace our mission of maximizing opportunities for the independence and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults in Connecticut,” Commissioner Amy Porter said. “The agency works with people with different disabilities, helping to break down barriers in employment, education and other facets of daily life. On this important anniversary we renew our ongoing commitment to justice, equality and opportunity for all residents with disabilities.”

Aging and Disability Services joins the National Council on Disability and the ADA National Network  in marking the breaking of barriers by asking Connecticut residents to share how the ADA has impacted your life in 30 words or less, or 30 seconds or less for audio or video, using the hashtags #30onADA30, #ThanksToTheADA and #ADA30 in your social media feeds.  Feel free to follow and tag us on our social media accounts, below.

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Media Contact:
Kathleen Sullivan
Kathleen.sullivan@ct.gov
(860) 874-5295 (cell)

Governor Lamont & Lt. Governor Bysiewicz Recognize Contributions of Blind Americans in Connecticut

10/15/19 (HARTFORD, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter presented an official proclamation on behalf of Governor Ned Lamont recognizing October 15 as Blind Americans Equality Day in the State of Connecticut and as a day to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Americans who are blind or visually impaired.

Genetic Testing Fraud Aimed at Medicare Beneficiaries Sweeps State, Nation

Across the nation – including in the state of Connecticut – genetic testing company representatives are offering “free” genetic tests to Medicare beneficiaries. While this may sound harmless, in reality it is dangerous. These companies can steal people’s medical identity and falsely bill Medicare, draining the system of needed funds.

Governor Lamont Announces the Renaming of the Department of Rehabilitation Services

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed legislation renaming the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) to the Department of Aging and Disability Services

No Barriers, Wells Fargo Announce Winning 2018 Global Impact Challenge Schools & Open Teacher Applications for 2019 Opportunity (press release 3/25/19)

A team of five Windsor, CT students was one of two teams awarded $5,000 to implement their winning project to help make Mystic Seaport Museum, a popular destination for visitors from around the world, more accessible for visitors who are blind or have low vision. The team of five young women, led by two teachers, Dennis Gallant and Beth Borysewicz of the Children’s Services program at the Connecticut Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) took part in the national Global Impact Challenge, sponsored by No Barriers USA and Wells Fargo & Company. The challenge is designed to address diversity, accessibility and inclusion challenges in local communities. Three of the five team members have vision loss and are served by DORS.

Fraud Alert from the Office of Inspector General regarding Genetic Testing of Medicare Beneficiaries

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing.