R4 Connections: Why Access and Functional Needs Should Be Everyone’s Priority in Community Preparedness

Posted by liaison on August 14th, 2025 Posted in: All Members, Webinars and Courses

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September is National Preparedness Month — a time to focus on ensuring our communities and workplaces are ready for the unexpected. To help you stay informed and equipped, we’re hosting a special webinar featuring expert insights, practical tips, and resources to boost your emergency preparedness.

Registration is required to attend. Please note: You must be a NNLM member to register (it’s free!). Can’t join us live? Register anyway to receive the recording after the event. Please reach out to region4@nnlm.gov with any questions you may have.

• Date and Time: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. MT
• Session Length: 60 minutes
• Guest Speaker: Allison Wilson, Jefferson County Public Health (Colorado)
• Description: This one-hour webinar will give an overview of the access and functional needs framework in emergency response and explain why it is important to plan for emergencies from a resource perspective rather than labeling people and groups. Participants will learn about examples from Jefferson County Public Health’s project to do the following: create an interactive all-staff training, purchase various items to ensure all needs and disabilities are supported, and embed AFN resources not only in the emergency plan but in day-to-day programs. Participants will be able to define access and functional needs and receive replicable examples of how to increase inclusion for AFN accommodations at libraries, organizations, and programs.

Interested in learning more about emergency preparedness? There will be additional webinars throughout September. Check the training calendar for more details.