Have a needs-and-strengths conversation
Ask each person what makes daily life possible and what may change during a power cut, evacuation, water outage or communication failure. Record support respectfully and with consent.
Include in the conversation
- Mobility and accessible transport
- Communication format and language
- Vision and hearing access
- Medicine, refrigeration and clinical supplies
- Powered medical or mobility equipment
- Food allergies and dietary needs
- Mental-health and sensory support
- Caregiving and personal assistance
- Assistance animals and pets
- Financial and storage constraints
Build a support network
One helper may also be affected. Where possible, identify several trusted people in different places. Agree exactly what help is offered, who holds a key and how privacy will be protected.
Plan for power-dependent needs
- Ask equipment providers what backup options are safe and supported.
- Register for priority or medical-support schemes offered by local utilities where available.
- Keep provider numbers, model details and safe transport instructions on paper.
- Know the point at which loss of power becomes a medical emergency.
Children, older people and carers
Plans should name who collects children, how schools communicate and what happens if the normal carer is unavailable. Older people should lead decisions about their own needs. Carers also need rest, medicine and backup support.
How Prepare Now is being built
Our design target is WCAG 2.2 Level AA as a floor, with stronger contrast, keyboard access, meaningful headings, print support, plain language and low-data pages. We will add reviewed easy-read, large-print, audio and signed-language formats as the content programme develops.