In a collaborative effort with other state agencies, HSEM is offering the newest resource for emergency planners: the Functional Needs Planning Toolkit This searchable online toolkit provides the latest methods and the most comprehensive resources available for including people with access and functional needs in whole community emergency plans.
The following agencies and resources and internet sites can assist emergency planners in finding the local and regional contacts and resources they need for their emergency planning and preparedness efforts.
The Minnesota State Council On Disability (MSCOD) provides leadership in strengthening rights of Minnesotans with disabilities and collaborates with the public and private sector as a policy, training and technical advisor.
Resources include
For more information, visit the MSCOD website.
Area Agencies on Aging provide assistance to seniors, local agencies and communities across the state. Visit the Minnesota Board on Aging website for a current listing of the regional area agencies on aging or and check for a listing of resources for seniors, policymakers and communities.
Minnesota's Centers for Independent Living provide services to individuals with a wide range of disabilities and work to increase the availability and improve the quality of community options for independent living. They provide information and referral services, advocacy, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and other services for specific needs.
Visit their website for center locations and available resources.
The division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) provides resources, technical assistance and advocacy for people who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families and communities. Find resources for assistive technology and assistance with sign language interpreters on the DHHS web site.Regional offices provide information, referral and assistance with assistive technology, training and working with sign language interpreters.Click here to find the location and coverage area of regional offices.
The
Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities works to increase the independence, self-determination, productivity, integration and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities through information, education and training. Contact the Council to find local and regional agencies serving people with developmental disabilities.
The
Office of Emergency Preparedness coordinates preparedness activities and assists Minnesota Department of Health staff, local public health agencies, hospitals, health care organizations, tribes and public safety officials in their efforts to plan for, respond to and recover from public health emergencies.
State Services for the Blind helps people who are blind, visually impaired or Deaf Blind to live and work as independently as possible.
This program administers Minnesota Relay, a federally mandated Telecommunications Relay Service program that allows people who are deaf, deaf/blind, hard of hearing, physically disabled or have a speech disability to communicate over the telephone in a manner that is functionally equivalent to people without a hearing loss, physical disability or speech disability.
Phone and Internet Resources
Disability Linkage Line: Statewide toll free number (866-333-2466![]( "Call: 866-333-2466")
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The Disability Linkage Line® is a free, statewide, information, referral and assistance service available to help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses and their representatives to help connect to community services.
Common requests include information and referrals on disability benefits programs, home modifications, assistive technology, personal assistance services, transition services, accessible housing, employment, social activities and disability rights.
Those seeking help can reach Disability Linkage Line® by calling 1 (866) 333-2466![]( "Call: 1 (866) 333-2466")
during regular business hours. Disability Linkage Line® Resource Specialists will provide one-to-one assistance to help people learn about their options and connect with the supports and services they chose.
For people who are looking for resources over the Internet, Disability Linkage Line® is a partner in the statewide resource database found at http://www.minnesotahelp.info/, which is sponsored by the Minnesota Board on Aging, Department of Human Services and other partners.
Senior Linkage Line: Statewide toll free number (866-333-2433![]( "Call: 866-333-2433")
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The
Senior LinkAge Line® provides information on a wide variety of support options for seniors and caregivers and can be accessed by calling (800) 333-2433![]( "Call: (800) 333-2433")
during regular business hours. The Senior Linkage Line® is also the point of contact for helping people of all ages sort through the options they have to lower their prescription drug costs.
Senior LinkAge Line® not only helps connect people to services in their community, but also provides the actual assistance to help them get the information and personalized help they need to make good decisions. This includes providing face to face help in the home and community.
Veterans Linkage Line: Statewide toll-free number (888-546-5838![]( "Call: 888-546-5838")
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Minnesota Help is a web site clearinghouse of information and statewide resources for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and others, maintained by the Minnesota Board on Aging.
