Office of Access and Functional Needs Program Highlights

Disaster Response
OAFN has responded to every major incident to support local efforts and assist as needed:
Worked with the American Red Cross and local jurisdictions to ensure shelters are accessible;
Assisted in securing accessible showers, porta-potties and hand washing stations for use at shelters;
Helped utilize American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at town halls, press events, and Recovery Centers; and
Collaborated with local agencies to provide accessible transportation to shelters and Local Assistance Centers.
Training: G197 Integrating Access and Functional Needs into Emergency Planning Training Course
The G197 training course brings together local emergency managers, members of the disability community, and AFN-related stakeholders to discuss integration of emergency management plans.
Integrated Curriculum Development Project
OAFN, in conjunction with CSTI, is currently developing, along with our whole community partners, three AFN-specific online courses. Each course will provide information, guidance, and best practices for integrating access and functional needs within the following components of an emergency operation plan: (Communication, Transportation, and Sheltering).
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Position Credentialing Program
This statewide program promotes an enhanced level of readiness and response for day-to-day emergencies and catastrophic disasters by ensuring qualified and competent staffing for EOCs. All Type III credentialed emergency managers (the entry-level) now need to take and pass an access and functional needs (AFN)-specific training course.
AFN GIS Web Map
After creating the first-of-its-kind interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) web map to serve as the definitive, comprehensive, statewide resource for AFN-related assets/resources, OAFN (in partnership with the Cal OES GIS Division) created version 2.0, which empowers emergency management jurisdictions to improve their whole community planning efforts in advance of emergencies.
Active Shooter Awareness Guidance
OAFN led the effort to update California’s Active Shooter Awareness Guidance to include AFN considerations through collaborative efforts with law enforcement, the California Specialized Training Institute, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, independent living centers, emergency managers and other disability stakeholders.
Disaster Response Interpreter (DRI)
OAFN’s Disaster Response Interpreter (DRI) program certifies ASL interpreters to provide services at shelters, town halls, press conferences and community events during emergencies and to standardize the practice of having on-screen interpreting at all statewide press forums.
A full list of the Office of Access and Functional Needs' program highlights.