Disaster Resilience

Disaster Resilience videos in ASL

Are you concerned about disasters? Tell us what you’re worried about and more by taking our 2026 Disaster Resilience Survey.

Disability Rights Texas works to help Texans with disabilities prepare for, and recover from, disasters and emergencies. That’s called “Disaster Resilience.” Below you’ll find information about your rights, how to stay safe, who can help you, and more.

Make sure to sign up for local emergency alerts and have local emergency numbers available in case a disaster strikes. You can also subscribe to our special Disaster Resilience email list for news and resources to help you.

If you need legal assistance because you believe your rights are being violated, please see our How to Apply for Services page.

Were you impacted by any of the recent severe weather events in Texas? Get information and resources to help you recover from the Hill Country Flooding Event, the RGV Flooding Event, Hurricane Beryl or the 2024 Spring Severe Weather Event.

Featured

Disasters are inevitable. Discrimination is not.

Disasters are often framed as unavoidable acts of nature. While hazards themselves may be inevitable, the inequitable outcomes that follow disasters are not. The impacts experienced by communities are shaped ...
Emergency Ready Sheet

The Emergency Ready Sheet helps people with disabilities keep important information in one place in case a disaster or emergency strikes.
How Do You Prepare for a Disaster?

This video covers what people with disabilities need to know to prepare for a disaster. Learn what to do before, during, and after a disaster.

Handouts

Winter Emergency Supplies Checklist for People with Disabilities

If there’s a winter storm, you could be stuck at home for a few days without power. Learn about the supplies you might want to keep on hand.
Make Sure Your Child Doesn’t Fall Behind Due to Beryl

If your child missed special education services, make sure the school helps your child stay on track with their IEP.
Stay Safe if There’s a Mass Attack

Learn how to stay safe if there's a mass attack, like an active shooter, a reckless and deadly driver, a bomb threat, or terrorism.
Be Prepared to Shelter in Place During the Winter

Learn how to stay safe and warm if you have to shelter in place due to severe winter weather.
Food and Water During a Disaster

If a disaster impacts your access to food and water, learn about how food banks, SNAP, and other resources can help you.
Cybersecurity for People with Disabilities

Learn how people with disabilities can use cybersecurity to prevent, detect, and respond to cyberattacks that can put you at risk.
Consumer Protection for People with Disabilities After a Disaster

Learn how people with disabilities can access consumer protections and avoid getting scammed after a disaster.
Maintaining Healthcare When Disaster Strikes

Planning for your healthcare needs could help you stay healthy and independent during a disaster.
Medications and Disasters

Learn how you can you still have access to your medications if a disaster or emergency turns your life upside down.
Disaster Mental Health Care

Learn how you can get mental health care if you experience a disaster or emergency.
Be Prepared for Texas Heat & Wildfires

Learn how people with disabilities and service animals can be prepared for Texas's extreme heat and wildfires.
How to Be Financially Ready for Disasters

Learn how you can be financially ready so you can respond and recover when a disaster strikes.
Weather & Emergency Alerts for Texans with Disabilities

Weather and emergency alerts can help Texans with disabilities prepare for what’s coming and respond to what happened.
Tips for Selecting Weather & Emergency Alerts

Use our tips to help you select weather and emergency alert options that will work for you.
Weather Radios: What People with Disabilities Need to Know

Weather radios can provide accessible weather and emergency alerts for people with disabilities.
Accessibility and Safety During and After a Disaster or Emergency

This handout answers many questions you might have when navigating an emergency or disaster in your community.
Housing Rights Information for People with Disabilities Impacted by Natural Disasters

Learn about your rights under the ADA when staying at a hotel or shelter, and also how the Federal Fair Housing Act impacts where you live.

Publications

Self-Advocacy and Being Disaster Ready

Learn how you can use self-advocacy so you are better prepared for the next disaster or emergency you'll face.
Hurricane Preparedness for Texans with Disabilities

Get prepared so you're ready for the impact of a hurricane and aware of what resources might become available to help you recover.

Videos

Navigating Disaster Resources

In this video, disaster recovery experts cover what resources become available and how to navigate them so you're ready to recover from a disaster.
Advancing Disability Climate Justice in the Courts

In this webinar, panelists analyzed recent trends in climate litigation in order to make recommendations for how climate litigators can better incorporate the unique climate risks faced by persons with disabilities into their litigation strategies.
After A Disaster: ID Theft, Scams and Insurance

Anyone can be a target for identity theft and scams after a disaster. Learn what you can do before and after a disaster to protect yourself.
Disaster Housing Advice

In this video, get advice about how to access housing after a disaster. Learn about the programs available to help you and how to prepare.
Disaster Services Provided by the American Red Cross

Learn about the disaster services provided by the American Red Cross and how their services can help people with disabilities recover from disasters.

External Links

Disasters are inevitable. Discrimination is not.

Five Years After Winter Storm Uri, Disability Disparities Remain Preventable. In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri left millions of Texans without power, water, and heat. Five years later, the data ...
2026 Disaster Resilience Survey

If you live in Texas, you know that a disaster can strike at any moment – it’s a question of when, not if. Because disasters and emergencies are a constant ...
Lawsuit dropped after collaboration leads to City of San Antonio emergency plan that considers needs of people with disabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17, 2025 CONTACT: Edie Surtees 512-407-2739 esurtees@DRTx.org MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT FOR INCLUSIVE DISASTER/EMERGENCY PLANNING San Antonio residents with disabilities and the City of San Antonio agree on ...
According to survey, Texans with disabilities are not prepared for disasters

Earlier this year, the Disaster Resilience Survey of Texans with Disabilities was conducted. Similar to previous years, most survey respondents indicated that they are not prepared for the disasters and ...
Take action for National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, a great time to make sure you’re ready for whatever disasters Texas might throw your way. Below are some simple actions you can take in ...
Navigating Disaster Resources Webinar

Recording available: The webinar occurred on September 30, but you can watch the webinar recording and see the slides from the presentation (PDF). If you’ve lived in Texas for ...