Reaching Our Access and Functional Needs Community

In recent years, FEMA’s Office of Disability Integration and Coordination defines the term “others with Access and Functional Needs” (AFN) as individuals who may have additional needs before, during and after an incident in functional areas, including but not limited to maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision, and maintain health (C-MIST). Individuals needing additional response assistance may include those with disabilities; live in institutionalized settings, are seniors; are children; are from diverse cultures; have limited English proficiency or non-English speaking, or are transportation disadvantaged.”

Below are the Nevada Revised Statutes that the City of North Las Vegas Office of Emergency Management refers to when planning and resourcing for our access and functional needs community: 

The City of North Las Vegas Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is in alignment with FEMA and uses the C-MIST Framework to integrate priority populations in all aspects of Emergency management. 

Access and Functional Needs community members are: 

• Individuals with Limited Mobility: Individuals who use assistive devices or equipment for walking or mobility, e.g., wheelchairs, walkers or crutches 

• Individuals who are Blind: Individuals who are blind or have low vision, night blindness, color blindness, impaired depth perception, etc. 

• Individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing: Individuals who are deaf have situational loss of hearing or limited-range hearing. 

• Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: An intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior. 

• Older Adults and Children: Individuals whose chronological age may impact their physical or cognitive abilities and who may need assistance with daily activities. 

• Individuals who are Limited or Non-English Speaking: Individuals who have a limited ability or no ability to speak, read, write or fully understand English. 

• Individuals and Families with Limited Resources: Individuals who may not have the resources available to meet their own or their family’s needs. 

• Individuals Experiencing Homelessness or Transitional Housing: Includes persons in shelters, on the streets or temporarily housed -- transitional, safe houses for women and minors. 

• Individuals who are Experiencing Domestic Violence: Individual living with domestic violence or who are domestic violence survivors. 

• Refugee & Immigrant Communities (New Americans): Persons who may have difficulty accessing information or services due to cultural differences or unfamiliarity, and possibility distrust of governmental systems. 

• Undocumented Persons: Individuals who do not have the required documentation to be permanent or temporary residents of the United States. 

• Individuals with Mental Illness: Individuals who have a diagnosed mental health condition as well as those who may have one that is undiagnosed. 

• Individuals Requiring Supervision: Individuals unable to safely survive independently, attend to personal care or activities of daily living, etc. 

• Individuals with Medical Needs: Individuals who take medication or need equipment to sustain life or control conditions for quality of life -- i.e., diabetic; weakened immune systems, those who cannot be in/use public accommodations. 

• People Who are Dependent on Drugs or Alcohol: Includes people who use legal or illegal substances including injectable drugs and who would experience withdrawal. 

• Clients of Criminal Justice System: Individuals who are currently or have been previously incarcerated, on parole, under house arrest, or who are registered sex offenders. This includes current clients of the juvenile justice system. 

• Emerging or Transient Priority Needs: needs/conditions due to emergency, temporary conditions—i.e., loss of glasses, broken leg, tourists/visitors needing care.