Washington – Today, the Ad Council and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the launch of a new public service advertisement (PSA) to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. While the PSA targets all communities, We Prepare Every Day is the first in a series of videos that aim to deliver a strong preparedness message by showing people with disabilities taking charge to prepare themselves and their families for emergencies.

The PSA provides equal access to all viewers and includes open captioning, a certified deaf interpreter, and audio description for viewers who are blind or have low vision.

“As we celebrate a quarter century of the ADA, we look to people with disabilities as leading the way,” said Craig Fugate, FEMA Administrator. “By taking their own preparedness actions every day, they set an example for all of us, including their families and their communities.”

The launch of the PSA coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 2015. The ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for people with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation and telecommunications. The ADA guarantees the civil rights of more than 56 million Americans.

“Everyone can and should think about their specific needs and prepare for the kinds of emergencies that can happen where they live, work or visit,” said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Our hope is that this campaign encourages everyone to think ahead and be prepared.”

The new PSA emphasizes the Ready Campaign’s four building blocks of preparedness – Build a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed and Get Involved. FEMA’s Ready campaign in partnership with the Ad Council has helped to generate more than 87 million unique visitors to the campaign’s website, Ready.gov, since its launch in 2003. Through the Ad Council, to date, the Ready campaign has received more than $1.1 billion in donated media.

To get more information on how to make a family emergency communication plan, building a disaster supply kit or to learn how to get involved in community preparedness, please visit ready.gov/myplan. The PSA was created pro-bono by Free Range Studios and will be available for download from FEMA’s media library.

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Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Learn more at fema.gov.

The Ad Council
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization with a rich history of marshaling volunteer talent from the advertising and media industries to deliver critical messages to the American public. Having produced literally thousands of PSA campaigns addressing the most pressing social issues of the day, the Ad Council has affected, and continues to affect, tremendous positive change by raising awareness, inspiring action and saving lives. To learn more about the Ad Council and its campaigns, visit www.adcouncil.org, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or view our PSAs on YouTube.

Free Range
Free Range is a world class brand and innovation studio with a commitment to driving positive social change through storytelling and design. Based in Oakland, CA and Washington D.C., Free Range has been named one of Fast Company’s Fast 50 most innovative companies and has won numerous Webbys, Addys and Sundance Interactive Awards. To learn more, visit FreeRange.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

FEMA
FEMA News Desk
202-646-3272

Ad Council
Kat English
212-984-1997
kenglish@adcouncil.org

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FEMA, Ad Council Launch New PSA Focused on People with Disabilities Preparing for Emergencies

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