FEMA Disability Housing Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit,
Brou v. FEMA, approved by the Federal District Court in the Eastern
District of Louisiana on September 26, 2006, the Department of Homeland
Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reaching out to
notify Hurricane Katrina and Rita evacuees with disabilities, or those
living with someone who has a disability, that accessible trailers are
available for temporary housing. Katrina and Rita evacuees with
disabilities who do not have accessible temporary housing should contact
FEMA and make their needs known, even if they have previously been in
touch with FEMA about their housing needs.

People with disabilities, meaning an impairment that limits one or more
major life activities like walking, seeing, hearing, or speaking, may be
able to get an accessible trailer from FEMA. Depending on the type of
disability, individuals and/or the families they live with may be able
to get a trailer with a ramp, enough turning space for a wheelchair,
accessible tub or shower, as well as grab bars in showers, tubs and near
toilets.

Individuals with disabilities, or those living with someone with a
disability, who need an accessible trailer, should call 1-866-496-4297
(Louisiana evacuees) and 1-888-294-2820 (Mississippi evacuees), from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, (TTY number for both Louisiana
and Mississippi is 1-800-462-7585). Those calling the toll-free number
should be prepared to discuss the kind of disability and the kinds of
accessibility features that are needed.

FEMA will assist individuals with disabilities by either providing an
accessible trailer, modifying an individual's current trailer to make it
accessible, or finding those in need a suitable place to live.

Accessible trailers may take up to 90 days to deliver, or longer if an
applicant does not have a suitable site for a trailer. Changes to make
a current trailer accessible may take up to 60 days to complete.

Persons with disabilities who do not receive an accessible trailer
should contact the agency at 1-866-496-4297 (Louisiana evacuees) and
1-888-294-2820 (Mississippi evacuees). To obtain an accessible trailer
within the times in this notice, you must contact FEMA before May 9,
2007.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any
national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with
state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood
Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security on March 1, 2003.

Additional Information:

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=30558