The Special Needs Registry comprises a collection of citizen’s details by the state. Ideally, the registry facilitates rapid access and assistance for the registered individuals in case of disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes (Fernandez, et al. 2002). Moreover, some institutions provide goods and services for people with special needs. In Florida, individuals who rely on electricity for the continuity and sustenance of their lives must have their details entered at the Special Needs Registry (Hewett, 2013). Individuals who need help for maintenance of their health due to disabilities are also strongly advised to register with the program.
The Florida Special Needs Registry can be accessed online. Individuals who wish to register can enter their full names and addresses (Hewett, 2013). They must explicitly indicate their city, state, and Zip code. Additionally, two telephone numbers should be provided for every new entrant. The details that applicants enter are used for emergency preparedness and planning (Hewett, 2013). One of the advantages of Florida’s Special Needs Registry is that it is relatively easy for individuals to register (Keim, 2008). Specifically, the user interface on the Government’s website is not difficult to navigate. However, the website does not accommodate the needs of users with special needs such as reduced visual acuity, arthritis, and hearing loss, among others (Subbarao et al., 2008). It is not clear whether it is possible for people with special needs to register through other means.
Florida’s Special Needs Registry is not properly publicised. Therefore, individuals cannot know of the database’s existence unless they search for it online (Fernandez et al. 2002). Social workers and health care professionals should be empowered so that they can help with publicising the website (Callaghan et al., 2007). In most instances, social workers and health care professionals have the capacity to identify vulnerable individuals among the people living in Florida (Keim, 2008).
References
Callaghan, W. M., Rasmussen, S. A., Jamieson, D. J., Ventura, S. J., Farr, S. L., Sutton, P. D. & Posner, S. F. (2007). Health concerns of women and infants in times of natural disasters: lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina. Maternal and child health journal, 11(4), 307-311.
Fernandez, L. S., Byard, D., Lin, C. C., Benson, S., & Barbera, J. A. (2002). Frail elderly as disaster victims: emergency management strategies. Prehospital and disaster medicine, 17(02), 67-74.
Hewett, P. (2013). Organizational Networks and Emergence During Disaster Preparedness: the Case of an Emergency Assistance Registry.
Keim, M. E. (2008). Building human resilience: the role of public health preparedness and response as an adaptation to climate change. American journal of preventive medicine, 35(5), 508-516.
Subbarao, I., Lyznicki, J. M., Hsu, E. B., Gebbie, K. M., Markenson, D., Barzansky, B. & King, R. V. (2008). A consensus-based educational framework and competency set for the discipline of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2(01), 57-68.
