Media

As a representative of the media, you serve as a highly trusted channel of information for the general public and populations with access and functional support needs, and therefore, play a critical role in providing consistent messaging and education to local residents before, during and after a hurricane. While electronic and web-based media provide opportunities for instantaneous information, you can also serve to communicate preparedness messaging throughout the year, and not just during an emergency.

• Broadcast or publish stories that encourage hurricane preparedness and evacuation planning specific to special needs populations. (See sample articles posted on Materials for Download page.)
• Broadcast Together Against the Weather public service announcements provided on Materials for Download page for year-round messaging.
• Include Together Against the Weather flyers and posters in your publications and media sponsored events.
• Partner with your local emergency management to host a Town Hall meeting for subscribers and local residents that specifically targets access and functional support needs issues in preparing for hurricanes.
• Partner with local social service agencies, religious organizations and other groups specific to special needs populations to host presentations, roundtable discussions and other events that will educate your local residents.
• Utilize the Together Against the Weather motivational questionnaire, developed specifically for the special needs population, in your publication as a public service announcement.