With earthquakes shaking B.C.'s north coast and news from the east coast storm catastrophe pouring in this week, an advocacy group for B.C. residents living with disabilities is calling for improved planning for people with mobility issues or disabilities in the case of natural disasters.

"Emergency preparedness for individuals and communities that includes the needs of people with disabilities is critical," said Karen Martin of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD).

She said the BCCPD has worked for years to help ensure that community organizations, businesses and people with disabilities are prepared for all types of emergency events. The group is concerned that many communities in B.C. are not adequately prepared for ensuring that people with disabilities and seniors are safe in emergency events.

When there are emergency events in other areas, there is a relatively brief spurt of interest which declines fairly quickly, she said.

In a telephone interview, Martin said that her group offers half and full day workshops in emergency planning and preparedness for individuals living with disabilities, businesses, community groups and long-term care homes.

"So far, although we have been in contact with the provincial government and many municipalities on this matter, progress has been slow," she said. "Disabled people are one of the groups hardest hit in a disaster, and much more needs to be done to prepare.”

The BCCPD urges individuals whose disabilities leave them more vulnerable to natural disasters to build up a personal network of friends, neighbors and caregivers to support them if a disaster strikes, and to prepare their homes so that an earthquake doesn't bring down appliances, shelves and furniture in ways that block their ability to get out of the house.

On a larger institutional scale, Martin said, emergency planning in B.C. has not yet considered how to proceed if it becomes necessary to evacuate people from hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Tom Sandborn covers health policy and labour beats for the Tyee. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].