NLIHC-Supported Bill on Disability Justice and Disasters Introduced in Congress 

By Oliver Porter, NLIHC DHR Intern and Noah Patton, NLIHC Director of Disaster Recovery 

On January 13, the NLIHC-supported “Real Emergency Access for Aging and Disability Inclusion for Disasters (REAADI) Act” was introduced by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) , and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced it in the Senate (H.R.7029/S.3628). The bill would implement essential reforms to the nation’s emergency management system to ensure the needs and rights of people with disabilities are adequately met in the event of a disaster. Individuals living with disabilities consistently face greater impacts from disasters than those living without disabilities—they are nearly four times more likely to become injured or die during disasters than people without disabilities. During the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles last year, sixteen of the nineteen people who died were living with disabilities or were elderly. Currently, many disaster preparedness plans and policies only offer vague instructions for ensuring the well-being of individuals living with disabilities during and after disasters. This bill would seek to address this issue and ensure that those living with disabilities have access to the assistance and the services they need to survive a disaster and remain living independently.    

First introduced in 2019, and again in 2021 and 2023, the “REAADI for Disaster Act represents an important policy priority for NLIHC and the 900 members of the DHRC. This bill was drafted in partnership with longtime DHRC member The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (PIDS)—one of the country’s sole advocates for disability rights during disasters.   

If adopted, the REAADI for Disasters Act of 2025 would:  

• Establish a National Advisory Committee on Disability Rights and Disasters to study the needs of individuals with disabilities and seniors and recommend best practices for ensuring the elderly and people with disabilities are included in all aspects of disaster preparedness.  

• Require disability civil rights compliance in disaster programs and spending, including the ADA and Rehabilitation Act obligations.  

• Protect civil rights in health care during disasters by codifying Crisis Standards of Care for all disasters and public health emergencies.  

• Invest in disability-led training, technical assistance, and research through a national network of Disaster and Disability Centers by establishing ten regional technical assistance centers and ten regional research centers.   

• Recognize the importance of independent living centers as crucial partners in local disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.  

• Create a dedicated Disaster Human Services Emergency Fund that will authorize $100 million per year for five years (FY 2026–2030) for community-based response efforts that help people remain in or return to their homes and avoid institutionalization during and after disasters.  

• Fund large-scale, disability-inclusive preparedness grants that will authorize $300 million per year for five years (FY 2026–2030) for communities to build accessible, coordinated systems before disasters occur.  

• Strengthen accountability and oversight through Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of disaster spending and review of disaster-related civil rights settlements since January 1, 2005.  

NLIHC and its partners at the DHRC will continue to monitor the progression of the “REAADI for Disasters Act” and highlight its importance during engagements with Congress. The Coalition will advise members on new developments as needed.