Office of Emergency Services Access and Functional Needs Working Group

Welcome to the Access and Functional Needs Working Group Engage Page!

The Office of Emergency Services (OES) is dedicated to supporting the safety and well‑being of every person in our community before, during, and after a disaster. Working closely with community partners, service providers, and individuals with lived experience, OES is committed to strengthening how we plan for and support people with disabilities and others with access or functional needs. Your voice is essential in helping us build a more resilient and inclusive region.

What are Access and Functional Needs?
Access and Functional Needs is an umbrella term used in the field of Emergency Management to refer to individuals who may require additional assistance before, during, or after a disaster. This term encompasses people with physical or cognitive disabilities, older adults, children, pregnant women, limited English proficiency, and transportation disadvantaged, which may all be factors that affect a person's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters or emergencies.

Access & Functional Needs (AFN) Advisory Group

Our Mission

The mission of the Access and Functional Needs Advisory Group is to provide feedback and recommendations on the best ways to broaden, enhance, and validate existing or updated plans, policies, and procedures here at the Office of Emergency Services. This group is committed to:
• Addressing whole community considerations across all four phases of emergency management
• Developing meaningful partnerships with diverse representation
• Including individuals with lived experience from across the AFN spectrum

Why Your Input Matters

The AFN Advisory Group brings together community organizations, service providers, and government agencies committed to reducing barriers and improving emergency readiness for all. Since its formation in 2011, the Group has completed numerous award‑winning projects, with more than 40 agencies actively participating.

Join our Advisory Group!

We want to hear from you. Community feedback helps us ensure that the needs of people with disabilities or access and functional needs are understood, respected, and built into regional emergency planning.