Emergencies and power outages

• Tell your power company. Many utilities have a medical certificate or medical baseline program. It can mean warning before planned shutoffs and, in some places, a lower rate. In California, for example, Medical Baseline covers people who use power wheelchairs and has no income limit.
• Know your battery time. Write down how long your chair and other equipment run on a full charge.
• Have backup power. A spare battery, a portable power station, or a generator. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.
• Keep a manual chair or other way to move if you can.
• Tell your local emergency management office that you depend on power. Many keep a list.

• Plan an accessible ride ahead of time. Ask your transit agency how paratransit works in an evacuation.
• Know where accessible shelters are. Shelters must be accessible and must let you bring your mobility aids and a service animal.
• Pack chargers, cords, a cushion, medicines, and supplies for at least a week.
• Keep a copy of your My Equipment card with you.

Fill this in, print it, and give a copy to someone you trust.