June is Hurricane Preparedness Month – Are You Ready?
By Christina Contreras (Alfaro), Disaster Preparedness & Climate Resilience Department Project Manager
As hurricane season kicks off this June, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. At the World Institute on Disability (WID), we know that preparation can be the difference between safety and uncertainty—especially for older adults and people with disabilities.
That’s why, through our partnership with the AARP 2024 Community Challenge, we created an easy-to-use, accessible Preparedness Printout designed specifically with older adults and people with disabilities in mind. This tool empowers individuals, caregivers, and community organizations to take proactive steps toward readiness—no matter their background, ability, or resources.
Why preparedness matters now more than ever
Hurricanes, storms, and other climate-related emergencies are increasing in frequency and intensity. Community members over the age of 50 and those with disabilities often face greater risks during disasters—from inaccessible shelters and transportation barriers to disrupted health services and lack of communication support. Preparedness isn’t just a checklist—it’s a .
What’s in the Preparedness Printout?
Our simple printable guide walks you through the essential steps to create a personalized plan, including:
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Building an Emergency Kit with medications, assistive devices, and critical documents
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Planning for transportation and evacuation assistance
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Communicating your needs with local emergency contacts
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Connecting with neighbors and caregivers for support
Preparedness is a community effort
While individual readiness is vital, it’s just one part of a stronger, more resilient community. We’re proud to collaborate with AARP in supporting older adults to take control of their safety and well-being—before, during, and after a hurricane. With the Preparedness Printout in hand, you can start the conversation today with your family, support network, or community group.
Download. Print. Prepare. Share.
You can access the Preparedness Printout for free on our website. Whether you’re preparing for a hurricane, wildfire, or power outage, this tool is designed to meet you where you are—and help you move forward with confidence.
Let’s prepare together. Because resilience starts now.
👉 Link to download the Preparedness Printout
For more information about WID’s disaster and climate resilience work, visit WID Disaster Resilience website.
About Christina:
Christina Alfaro is the Project Manager for Emergency, Disaster and Climate Resilience at WID.
As a native Texan with family from both sides of the border, Christina applies her bilingual, cross cultural, and interrelation skills to her professional career. As a US Army veteran, Christina also applies a robust perseverance, tactical problem solving and team collaborative approach to projects and to every task and thrives in both team collaboration and independent work situations to reach the goal. She received her BA in Administrative Arts and Organizational Development where she mastered her ability to coordinate and organize productive action and produces positive outcomes for the team.
For the last six years, Christina has provided project coordination for multiple FEMA Continuing Training Grant course development and delivery projects, staffing for case management, clinician, medical staff and responder deployment cadres and deployed as part of an Incident Management Team. In this capacity Christina has filled command and general staff positions on deployment, to include Staffing Coordinator, Recruiter, worked in the Finance Section and as Logistics Section Chief.
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